Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in the program.
Academic Decathlon® was started in California in 1968 by the Orange County Academic Decathlon Association. The Arizona Academic Decathlon Association (AADA) was formed in 1985 by the Pima County Academic Decathlon Association. Arizona held its first statewide competition in 1985.
Every competition, whether it’s a local scrimmage, or a regional, state, or national final engages our student decathletes. Our program would not be possible without the help of our board, coaches, volunteers, and donors and sponsors.
AADA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization, with federal tax identification number 86-0508608. Contributions to the program are tax deductible.
As the name indicates, students compete in ten areas: art, economics, essay, interview, literature, mathematics, music, science, social science, & speech.
Each team of nine decathletes includes three Honor, three Scholastic, and three Varsity students; each level competes only against other students within that category. All decathletes receive a certificate of recognition and the opportunity to win medals and trophies within their categories. Scholarships may be also be awarded for top-scoring decathletes and members of winning teams.
Arizona has four regional competitions where typically over 50 teams compete. Then teams advance to the state competition in March, with the state champion going on to the United States Academic Decathlon National Finals. Arizona’s teams regularly place in the top 10 nationally.
