By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (Jan 16, 2026)
The El Dorado County Office of Education is seeking community volunteers to help support local high school students during the 2026 Academic Decathlon, a regional scholastic competition that brings together students from across the county.
This year’s theme, “The Roaring Twenties,” will challenge students to explore the history, culture and ideas of the era through a series of academic and performance-based events. Volunteers are needed to serve as judges and test proctors, with no prior experience required.
The competition will take place at Union Mine High School over two dates. On Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, volunteers are needed beginning around 4 p.m. to judge student speeches and conduct interviews structured similarly to job interviews. On Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, test proctors are needed from approximately 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help monitor objective and essay testing sessions.
According to the county office of education, community involvement is a critical part of the program’s success. “The Academic Decathlon encourages students of all academic backgrounds to build confidence, communication skills and intellectual curiosity,” EDCOE said in its volunteer announcement, noting that volunteers play a direct role in supporting student achievement.
The Academic Decathlon program brings together students with a wide range of academic abilities, emphasizing teamwork, critical thinking and public speaking alongside traditional testing. Local educators say the experience often leaves a lasting impact on students as they prepare for college and careers.
Community members interested in volunteering as a judge or proctor can contact the EDCOE Communications team. Whitney Burke can be reached at wburke@edcoe.org, and Dena Allen at dkallen@edcoe.org. An online registration option is also available through EDCOE.
The Academic Decathlon is a rigorous ten-event scholastic competition for high school students, featuring a new interdisciplinary theme each year. The theme for the 2025-2026 season is “The Roaring Twenties,” which explores the history and culture of 1920s America.
Academic Decathlon Overview
- Objective Events Multiple-choice exams in seven core subject areas:
- Art
- Economics
- Language and Literature
- Mathematics (unrelated to the theme)
- Music
- Science
- Social Science
- Subjective Events Judged performance events assessing communication skills:
- Essay writing
- Prepared speech
- Impromptu speech
- Interview
- Super Quiz A public, team-based relay event with questions from six of the objective subjects.
The Roaring Twenties Theme
- Key Topics Students dive into a period known for a booming economy, the stock market craze, Prohibition-era speakeasies, the fight for women’s rights, and significant cultural transformations.
- Literature The classic novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald serves as a central text for the Language and Literature curriculum, guiding students through the complexities of the era.
- Cultural Focus The theme incorporates the study of Jazz Age art, music, and the innovative spirit that defined the decade.
- Curriculum Resources The USAD.Org provides program overviews and resource guides to help teams prepare for the competition.
