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Information for New Schools

​​​​Curriculum

The United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) provides a grant to new schools that waives the cost of the curriculum the first year and applies a $375 rebate to the curriculum package the second year. To be eligible for the grant, schools must be new to the Academic Decathlon program or be a returning school that has not participated in the past seven years. Schools must submit a new grant form when applying the first year and again when applying for the rebate the second year. To request the curriculum grant form, email ocad@ocde.us​.


Fees

​Participation fees for the 2025-2026 school year are $695 for the first six to nine students and $100 for each additional student beyond nine, or for each student if registering less than six. 


Other Requirements

  • ​All schools are required to have an Academic Decathlon coach, who is typically a teacher, counselor, or librarian at the school.​ If a coach is not employed by the school/district, they must submit a signed letter to ocad@ocde.us from the school principal on official letterhead authorizing them to act as the head coach and represent the school. ​
  • To form a team, each school must recruit a minimum of two students from each of the three GPA categories listed below. GPAs are based on the unweighted cumulative GPA listed on a student's official high school transcript. Freshmen may compete in any of the three GPA categories as "wildcards."
    • Honor (GPA 3.90 - 4.0)
    • Scholastic (GPA 3.4 - 3.89)
    • Varsity (GPA 0.0 - 3.39)

​​Getting Started

​An annual New Coach Orientation is held each September to provide program information and address questions from new coaches and schools. Schools interested in forming a team after the group orientation but prior to the Intent to Participate deadline may request an individual orientation session by contacting ocad@ocde.us​. Schools preparing to participate the following school year are encouraged to reach out in the spring or summer to arrange an individual orientation session. ​