About
What is the Orange County Academic Decathlon (OCAD)?
Like its ancient Greek counterpart, Academic Decathlon is a ten event contest where high school students of all academic abilities and achievement work as a team to compete in the areas of language and literature, science, mathematics, social science, economics, art, music, essay, interview, and speech. Each team aspires to compete at the state or national level.
The purpose of Academic Decathlon is to develop and provide academic programming, curriculum, and assessment to promote learning and academic excellence. Students of all achievement levels participate in a variety of rigorous and challenging academic events while building teamwork and a competitive spirit.
Founded in 1968, by Robert Peterson, Ed.D., former County Superintendent of Schools, the Orange County Academic Decathlon serves as the model for all prestigious Academic Decathlon events that now exist at the state and national levels.
How Does Academic Decathlon Work?
Academic Decathlon teams consist of nine student members, known as Decathletes. Each team consists of three Honors decathletes (GPA 4.0-3.85), three Scholastic decathletes (GPA 3.84-3.50), and three Varsity decathletes (GPA 3.49-0.00). Each Academic Decathlon team spends months working together in preparation for a rigorous and demanding competition season against other local area schools.
All decathletes participate by taking 30-minute multiple-choice tests in the subject areas of art, language and literature, economics, mathematics, music, science, and social science. Each area, with the exception of mathematics, is based on an annual theme (e.g., the Great Depression, the History of the Civil War, Technology and Humanity, and Our Changing Climate). The theme for 2026-2027 is Journeys of Transformation: An Exploration of Travel and Transportation.
In addition, each decathlete is required to perform a planned 4-minute speech on a topic of their choice, a 2-minute impromptu speech, and a 7-minute interview (similar to a job interview) and to write an essay within a 50-minute period.
The competition culminates with an exciting Super Quiz relay, a team event where parents and classmates cheer from the sidelines, much like a sporting event.
After scores for all tests, interview, speeches, essay, and Super Quiz scores are cumulated, individual and team award medals are presented at an awards ceremony. The overall winning team from the Orange County Academic Decathlon is invited to participate in the statewide California Academic Decathlon. In years past, based on overall state scores, additional teams have also been invited to represent Orange County as "wild card" teams.
What Makes the Academic Decathlon a Winning Program for Students?
Academic Decathlon...
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Increases academic achievement
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Improves study habits
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Fosters teamwork in a learning environment
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Levels the playing field for students with varying grade point averages
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Incorporates the arts
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Develops leaders of the future
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Cultivates confidence
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Promotes lifelong learning
In addition, the program...
Teaches real word skills, including:
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Public speaking
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Interviewing
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Analytical writing
Builds 21st century skills (4 C's), including:
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Critical thinking and creativity
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Character, grit, work ethic, and perseverance
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Communication and collaboration
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Initiative and self direction
Academic Decathlon is the ultimate college prep experience!
Student Success Stories
Self-Confidence
OCAD has personally taught me the values of leadership, cooperation, and commitment. The competition provides a foundation upon which students are able to not only share academic achievement, but also transform teamwork into friendships and develop lifelong skills in public speaking and interviews.
Christina Nguyen, Harvard University
Support
Decathlon is unforgettable. It is so much more than an academic competition. It is understanding yourself as a person and in the eyes of others; it is those late nights with your team who eventually become your family; it is realizing you can do what you set out to do - together.
Khue Tran, University of California, San Diego
Success
OCAD changed my life. I began as a troubled sophomore, and left as the Team Captain. I learned that, like OCAD, life is a series of tests and trials, and we must meet them not only with knowledge and understanding, but with commitment. It's not only the score on the paper that matters, it is how much we grow and the things we learn about ourselves by rising up to the challenges.
Eric Post, College of William & Mary