Sacramento County Academic Decathlon

About the Decathlon

The 46th Annual Sacramento County Academic Decathlon will be held during the 2025–26 school year. High school teams study the theme in subjects like science or music, guided by the curriculum provided by the United States Academic Decathlon. The competition features a series of challenging events, such as multiple-choice tests across various disciplines, as well as prepared and impromptu speeches, written essays, and interviews with a panel of judges. One of the event's highlights is the Super Quiz, a fast-paced quiz-bowl competition held in front of a live audience.

Students master ten events which allow them to:

• Visualize art history
• Participate in an interview
• Experiment with science
• Become versed in language and literature
• Experience the music
• Master mathematics
• Excel in social science
• Author an essay
• Prepare a speech
• Learn economics

Each team will consist of three Honor students (GPA 3.90–4.00), three Scholastic decathletes (GPA 3.40–3.899), and three Varsity decathletes (GPA 0.00–3.399). Please note that the GPA ranges have been updated for the 2025–26 school year.

New for this year:

• GPA eligibility will now be based on the student’s cumulative unweighted GPA as shown on their transcript. This includes all high school coursework completed to date, but excludes grades from the current academic year.
• Freshmen are now eligible to participate as wildcard decathletes in any category—Honor, Scholastic, or Varsity. To qualify:
  • The student must be a full-time 9th-grade high school student.
  • No middle school transcripts are required.

Individual and team award medals are presented at an awards ceremony and the overall winning team from the county competition is invited to participate in the statewide California Academic Decathlon.

Students on Academic Decathlon teams dedicate months to rigorous preparation, mastering not only a vast array of academic subjects but also essential skills such as teamwork, goal setting, strategic planning, and leadership.

Starting a Team

Learn How to Start a Team and Participate
(portions of text courtesy of the CollegeVine blog)