To register for Competitive Debate through Pacific Coast Learning Center, click here.
To explore plans and pricing, click here. 
To contact Rebecca Starbeck, click here. 
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Who:
  • 7th-12th grade
What:
  • We will be competing in the Orange County Debate League 
Where:
  • Classes take place at Pacific Coast Learning Center in Westminster or virtually, via Zoom (This may change after COVID subsides but Zoom will also be used for extra practice time when needed.)
​When:
  • Class meets Thursdays, 8:15-10:30
  • Competition dates to be announced by the league
  • Traditionally there have been three competitions per year. Competitions take place on Saturdays. The tournament starts at about 7:30 AM and is almost always finished before 5:00 PM. 
How: 
  • Coaching fee is $365* per semester
    *There is an annual student fee for all students taking classes at Pacific Coast Learning Center:
    $120 per semester for high school students
    $80 for middle school students
    $40 for elementary school students
    Some charter schools allow for this fee to be added to the cost of classes rather than being paid out-of-pocket by parents. If your charters agrees, you may add the per-semester fee to your purchase order to cover student fees. You may select this option when you register for the class.
  • League fee, to be announced and will be divided between participants (Please note that the league fee is not included in the coaching fee and is commonly not covered charter schools.)
  • Parent involvement is required during tournaments and welcomed at practice​​
  • Download the OCDL high school debate rules here.
Why: 
  • Competition drives learning. Debate is a game and pressing to win makes debate a fun, learning-centered activity. Even history and current events become tools for winning. Debate topics are always relevant to current times and 
  • Competitive debate helps learners see the power of using rational, reasoned arguments, strengthened by solid evidence
  • Competitive debate builds confidence and poise.
  • Competitive debate can both temper and build one's view of self. It takes hard work to win and it is humbling to lose. Those to whom things frequently come easily quickly learn that they must work hard to excel. Debaters learn that investing in the work pays off. 
  • At the very least, debate helps learners to see the power of deploying rational, reasoned arguments and compelling evidence in action. Increasing learners' confidence, poise, and self-esteem. Providing an engaging, active, learner-centered activity. Improving rigorous higher-order and critical thinking skills.
  • Frequently asked questions:
    • Does a student need to take Speech & Debate before joining Competitive Debate? No. If students are nervous, they may actually benefit from the support Competitive Debate teammates will offer. I  strive to maintain an encouraging atmosphere in both classes. 
    • ​How does Competitive Debate compare with regular Speech & Debate Classes? The value of competition cannot be stressed enough. Competition makes learning more fun. The drive to win has a tendency to make students more interested in academics, it bolsters their confidence and critical thinking skills. The Competitive Debate class is more casual (students are sometimes seen kicking back on the floor with their computer in front of them, doing research). Teamwork builds friendships. We brainstorm and laugh together. 
    • How do the workload and progress in Competitive Debate class compare with Speech & Debate class? There is actually more assigned work in Speech & Debate class but since we move from one assignment to the next there is not always as much improvement as we see in Competitive Debate. In Competitive Debate, students are repeatedly researching, defining, building arguments, looking for flaws in opponent arguments and working to improve speaker skills. The progress tends to be more pronounced in Competitive Debate. (more on the workload, below)
Workload: ​