FIRE Academy - Debate for 5th-8th Grade

Who:
  • 5th-8th grade
  • It isn't a rule that participants be homeschooling students but because of our practice times that is what we are currently comprised of homeschooling/charter students.
What:
  • We compete in the Orange County Debate League - Middle School Division
  • We use a modified form of Parliamentary (Parli) debate
  • We research and write new topics about every 6-8 weeks
  • Our league fee of (currently) $675 allows us to take 18 competitors to each tournament. (We would have to pay another $675 to take a second set of 18)
  • At tournaments, debaters compete on teams of 3
  • Teams are assigned by the coach
Where:
  • We have been practicing in the Tustin/Irvine area 
​When:
  • Our usual practice is on Fridays from 1:00-3:00
  • ​Tournaments take place on Saturdays, about every 6-8 weeks, about 7:45AM-4:30PM
    • ​Holiday Tournament - December 14
      • Debate ​Topic: Schools should be year-round.
      • Debate ​Topic: Museums should return artifacts to their countries of origin.
    • Winter Classic - February 1
    • Spring Tournament - March 14
    • OCDL Championship - May 9
How: 
  • Coaching fee is $230 per semester
  • League fee, currently $695, is divided between participants (you can probably safely budget for somewhere between $40-$125 per student)
  • Parent involvement is required at tournaments and welcomed at practice​

​FIRE Academy - Debate for 9th-12th Grade


 Who:
  • 9th-12th grade
What:
  • We will be competing in the Orange County Debate League - High School Division
Where:
  • To be announced 
​When:
  • Practice:
  • Times will be determined based on the availability of the majority of interested students
  • Competitions:
    • Nov. 16 - Fall Tournament
      • Felons should be allowed to vote.
      • Stay at home parents should be paid.
    • Feb. 15 - Winter Tournament
    • Apr. 25 - Spring Tournament
How: 
  • Coaching fee is $230 per semester
  • League fee, to be announced and will be divided between participants 
  • Parent involvement is required at tournaments and welcomed at practice​​
  • Download the OCDL high school debate rules here.

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