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Solano County Office of Education

Academic Decathlon

Since 1981, the Solano County Office of Education has sponsored the Academic Decathlon for local public and private high school students to compete as individuals and as a team in a series of academic test and demonstrations. In 2006, Solano County expanded its services to include 11 surrounding counties: Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and Yolo.
The Academic Decathlon was officially established in 1968 by Robert Peterson, Ed.D., former County Superintendent of Schools in Orange County and has served as the model for all prestigious Academic Decathlon events that now exist at the state and national levels. 
 
The 2026 - 27 theme is "Journeys of Transformation: An Exploration of Travel and Transportation"
  • Art: The art curriculum will explore themes of travel and transportation in art.
  • Economics: The economics curriculum will cover fundamental economic concepts, microeconomics, and macroeconomics and will include a thematic section on the economics of transportation.
  • LITERATURE: The literature curriculum will explore journeys, quests, and travel in literature and will include critical reading, one long work of literature, and selected shorter works. The long work of literature will be The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.
  • Mathematics: The mathematics curriculum will cover general mathematics, geometry, and an introduction to differential calculus.*
  • Music: The music curriculum will focus on travel and transportation in music.
  • SCIENCE: The science topic will be an introduction to animal behavior and migration.
  • SOCIAL Science: The social science topic will be an introduction to human geography and migration.**
 
* The 2026–27 mathematics curriculum and materials will be the same as were used for the 2023–24 U.S. Academic Decathlon.
**The portion of the social science curriculum that covers human migration will present an introduction to migration patterns and processes and will include historical case studies but does not discuss current issues and policies related to migration.

ABOUT THE DECATHLON

School teams study the theme using curriculum that is provided by the United States Academic Decathlon. Events include multiple-choice tests in different subjects: Art, Economics, Literature, Math, Science and Social Science. Events also include prepared and impromptu speeches, written essays, interviews with judges, and the Super Quiz (which is a quiz-bowl-type competition that takes place in front of a live audience when in-person).

 

What makes the Academic Decathlon a Winning Program for Students?
 
Academic Decathlon...
  • Increases academic achievement
  • Improves student habits
  • Fosters teamwork in a learning environment
  • Levels the playing field for students with varying Grade Point Averages
  • Incorporates the Arts
  • Develops leaders of the future
  • Cultivates confidence
  • Promotes lifelong learning
 
In addition, the program...
 
Teaches real world skills, including:
  • Public speaking
  • Interviewing
  • Analytical writing
Builds 21st century skills, including:
  • Critical thinking and creativity
  • Character, grit, work ethic, and perseverance
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Initiative and self direction
 
Academic Decathlon teams consist of students know as Decathletes. Each team consists of three academic levels: Honor (GPA 3.85 - 4.0), Scholastic (GPA 3.5 - 3.8499), and Varsity (GPA 0.0 - 3.499). 
 
After scores for all tests, interviews, speeches, and essays are accumulated, individual and team awards medals are presented at an awards ceremony.
 
The overall winning team from each participating county is invited to participate in the statewide California Academic Decathlon. Based on overall state scores, additional teams may be invited to represent their county as "wild card" teams. 
 
Academic Decathlon teams spend months preparing for this demanding competition. In addition to mastering the extensive content, students learn about teamwork, goal setting, planning, and leadership.
 
Contact

Contact

Rebecca Floyd
Project Coordinator
(707) 646-7602
rfloyd@solanocoe.net

 

Andrea I. Chavez
Secretary - Program Analyst
(707) 646-7601
 
 
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