Why Debate?
In a world of rapid technological change, being able to speak eloquently, think critically, and communicate persuasively has never been more important.
Atlantic Ivy Dubai
What Students Gain
Speech & Debate develops essential life skills that extend far beyond the competition room.
Research & Knowledge
Explore both sides of important topics like international relations, economics, and philosophy.
Critical Thinking
Learn to identify and disprove misleading arguments with logical reasoning.
Persuasion Skills
Win over audiences, crowds, and interviewers with confidence and clarity.
Global Community
Connect and exchange ideas with students from around the world.
Engaging Learning
Have fun learning through a unique and intellectually stimulating activity.
Stand Out
Build a compelling profile for university applications and scholarships.
Transform Your Voice
Real stories from real students who discovered the power of speech and debate.
Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking
Public speaking is a critical skill for any career path. Speech and debate gives students endless opportunities to practice in supportive environments.
"Speech and debate has honestly changed my entire life. I was actually mute when I was younger, and speaking out terrified me. I found a place where I could just get 10 minutes for people to listen to my actual voice."
— Kimberly Lu, 2018 National Champion
Improve Your Academic Standing
Former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan argued that high school speech and debate is uniquely suited to build skills in:
Countless studies show the impact on test scores, attendance, and college admission rates.
Use Your Voice to Change the World
Whether you're telling a story or advocating for an issue, debate skills transfer to every career:
Your voice is powerful — use it!
Stand Out From the Crowd
Speech & Debate provides students with a platform to differentiate themselves. Top schools like Harvard and Oxford invite competitors from around the world to showcase their skills.
The National Speech and Debate Association offers international students the chance to qualify for the National Championship and test themselves against 140,000 peers in the world's largest academic competition.
in scholarships secured by our students
Yale, Oxford & more
Win rate for first-timers
"The best investment we made in our son's education"
— Parent, Dubai
Debate & College Admissions
Groundbreaking research by Professor Minh A. Luong reveals how debate experience dramatically impacts college acceptance rates at top-tier institutions.
Top 30 University Admissions
Acceptance rate boost vs. average applicant
Debate Team Captain
vs. average applicant pool
State/National Award Winners
+22-30%
acceptance rate boost
General Participation
+4%
above average
Compared to Other Extracurriculars
Key Findings
Debate Captain Effect
Being a debate team captain improves admission chances by more than 60% compared to the rest of the applicant pool—the highest boost of any extracurricular.
Award Winners
State and national forensics award winners see 22% to 30% higher acceptance rates at top-tier colleges.
Outperforms All Others
Debate participation provides significantly more admissions boost than class president (+5%), sports captain (+5%), or school newspaper (+3%).
Source
Professor Minh A. Luong, Yale University
"Forensics and College Admissions"
Rostrum, November 2000 (Volume 75, Issue 3)
Based on data from the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition study (April 16, 1999) analyzing college admissions outcomes.
Why This Matters
Admissions officers at elite universities recognize that debate experience demonstrates critical thinking, research skills, poise under pressure, and commitment to intellectual growth—exactly what they're looking for.
Start Building Your ProfileThe Research
Decades of academic research confirm what debaters already know—these skills transform outcomes.
Increase in Analytical Thinking Skills
More Likely to Enter a Top 10 University
Debate Scholarships Offered Yearly
Improvement in English Language Tests
Increase in Grade Point Average
Boost in Standardized Test Scores
Boost in Social Confidence
More Likely to Have a Job After Graduation
More Likely to be Promoted Yearly
Famous Debaters
World leaders, Nobel laureates, and industry titans who credit debate for their success.
Oprah Winfrey
Legendary Talk Show Host
Class of 1971 | East Nashville High School, Tennessee
"[Speech and Debate] gives you a sense of confidence in speaking in front of people, a sense of presence, and a sense of pride. It's about the power of words to influence ideas, to uncover a higher truth, to change minds, and for a lot of people, even to change lives."
Elinor Ostrom
Nobel Prize in Economics
Class of 1951 | Beverly Hills High School, California
"Learning debate was an important early impact on my ways of thinking. You are taught that there are always at least two sides to public policy questions, and you have to learn a good argument for both sides as well as knowing how to critique both sides."
Samuel Alito
US Supreme Court Justice
Class of 1968 | Trenton Hamilton East High School, New Jersey
"The skills developed through competitive debate are not limited to helping a legal career: top-notch research skills, quick analytical thinking, and strong public speaking are tools needed to be successful in almost any profession."
Ready to Start Your Debate Journey?
Join hundreds of students who have transformed their communication skills and opened doors to top universities worldwide.