Overview

Since the times of Ancient Greece, scholastic debate has been the most rigorous academic program.

As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” Debate tests and builds that very ability, forcing students to prepare on both sides of a given resolution, even when the arguments run contrary to their personal beliefs. In service of constructing a strong argument, debaters flex their analytical muscles, accumulate and analyze evidence, and identify common weak points and fallacies in logical reasoning. Overall, debaters learn to succinctly explain their own ideas both orally and on paper—a transferable skill in any political discussion, classroom, or essay.

Perhaps most important of all, debate is fun! You may have to cajole your child to go to their test prep class or do their homework, but debate makes learning a game. Students take rare ownership over their own intellectual development, and throughout the years of practice and competition, build lifelong friendships and networks. 

According to Former United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, competitive debate is not just one of the “great equalizers” for minority achievement and educational opportunity, but a best practice to produce dynamic Americans proficient in the 4 “Cs” of 21st century skills—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and a bonus fifth, civic awareness. Today, you will find former debaters in every area of public life, from Nelson Mandela to Ketanji Brown Jackson to Oprah Winfrey.