Academic Competitions & Camps
RISD Advanced Learning Services
For district information, please contact the RISD AcDec Coordinator, Carol Hewitt, at carol.hewitt@risd.org.
The Academic Decathlon competition is composed of six objective exams, a prepared and impromptu speech, an interview, a written essay, and the Super Quiz. Each nine–member team is composed of three “A” students, three “B” students, and three “C” students from the eleventh and twelfth grades. Individual and team winners are identified by totaling the scores of each event. Winning teams proceed to the state and national contests. This course provides training in the competitive areas of the Academic Decathlon. Students study extensively in mathematics, micro and macroeconomics, science, literature, social studies, and the fine arts. In addition, skills are developed in speech preparation and presentation, essay writing, and interview techniques. Academic Decathlon Honors is available for students in 9th – 12th grades. 10th – 12th graders are eligible for five (5) quality points that will be calculated into their formal GPA upon successful completion of the course. 9th graders are eligible to take the course for local credit with no quality points.
For district information, please contact the RISD Spelling Bee competition coordinator, Samantha Fritz, at samantha.fritz@risd.org .
For district information, please contact the RISD UIL A+ competitions coordinator, Kendall Biggs, at kendall.biggs@risd.org.
In RISD, this camp is limited to students who have qualified for gifted services. For more information, contact the camp director, TBD.
Superintendent's Scholars Academy
The goal of the SSA is to provide high-achieving 7th and 8th grade students with increased confidence and familiarity with the PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and ACT in order to support student growth towards National Merit recognition and other higher academic honors. Students who qualify for this program are notified by the Office of Advanced Learning Services.
For more information, contact Director of Student Advancement Jeremy Williamson at jeremy.williamson@risd.org.
Kelsey Karcher, Director of Advanced Learning Programs and Services
Email: kelsey.karcher@risd.org
