Massachusetts Academic Decathlon is an academic competition in which teams of 9 high school students battle in 10 different events:

• 7 objective tests based on a college-level, academically rigorous curriculum linked by a common theme
• 3 subjective events that challenge us to develop, connect, and communicate ideas and personal experiences under pressure
• one high-pressure, high-stakes Super Quiz relay open to the public

Along this epic adventure, beginning when the new theme is released in May and continuing until the United States Academic Decathlon National Finals the following April, students from all academic backgrounds have the opportunity to be a part of something greater than themselves, to discover and embrace the thrill of learning and academic exploration that soon turns into a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, and to gain the skills and build the relationships that no classroom experience could ever hope to match.

It's about daring to push your limits, to master college-level material and to practice skills, like public speaking, that might be wholly new to you. It's about the people you'll meet along the way -- the coaches who will mentor you, the competitors who will challenge you, and the teammates who will become your lifelong friends.

Dr. Les Martisko