What is the ACADEMIC PENTATHLON?

The Academic Pentathlon, an exciting five-event competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, was founded in 1984 to encourage and reward academic excellence among students of all ability levels.

The Academic Pentathlon provides a less restrictive environment for learning where individual leadership, cooperation, and peer support are incorporated as motivators. TEAM WORK IS THE HEART OF THE ACADEMIC PENTATHLON. Teachers and students work together to build a team.

Established as an academic club on campus, the program provides a "safe" environment for academically motivated students of all ability levels. Some students will strive to make the Academic Pentathlon Team, while others just need peer support and a place to satisfy academic curiosity.

All students research and study the content outlined in the Academic Pentathlon Study Guide. The team preparation period is approximately three to four months, and the final team is selected about a month before the competition. Everyone benefits from the coaching process.

Team divisions are based on Pentathlon performance from previous years. This format allows schools to compete with equal level teams.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in public and private schools compete as individuals and as team members in a series of five (5) academic tests. These include:

• Essay
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Science – Super Quiz
• Social Science

(Mouse over the words "Academic Pentathlon" on the upper left side of this page, for more information.)