Academic Decathlon

The St. Apollinaris Academic Decathlon Team has won the State Championship three out of the past eighteen years and took 1st place overall in Santa Rosa Diocese for thirteen of those years. The 2009 State Champions bested over 600 Catholic schools in the state of California. Several students have had individual top 5 placements. The Academic Junior High Decathlon is a ten event competition for students in 7th and 8th grade. Two of the events are collaborative team efforts – a logic quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems and a super quiz with 50 multiple choice questions on five broad academic themes. The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Roman Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Art and Music). Awards are given for individual and team performances. The winning school team from each geographic diocese competes in a state championship the first Saturday in May.

The team is chosen annually by the principal based on the following criteria:

Results of a Logic Test given each year
Standardized Test results for the current and prior 4 years
Report Cards (including effort) for the current and prior 4 years
Teacher recommendations

Academic Decathlon Team Commitment

Team study sessions are held from approximately October through February with study continuing through March if the team advances to the National meet. Individual study time is required at home on a regular basis for assigned individual subject areas as well as Super Quiz and Logic responsibilities. Students must have the desire to be team players, to work collaboratively with all members of the team, and to perform to the best of their ability. Parent involvement is necessary (required?) in the form of coaching a subject area for the Super Quiz - Fine Arts, Religion, Science, Social Studies, Literature, or Logic (materials and study guides are provided), proctoring at the event, and other tasks necessary to support the team.