National Catholic Academic
Junior High Decathlon

In collaboration with the
National Catholic Educational Association

The National Catholic Schools Academic Junior High Decathlon (or AJHD) strives
to cultivate academic talents, collaboration and organization, and celebrate them
in the context of spirit-filled competition.

NEWS:

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year!
The Regional events for AJHD are being held on
Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Registration open through December 1st!
2024 Resource List Available Now
AJHD Marketing Video (Sacramento 2023) AJHD Marketing Video (San Diego 2020)

Recent News Posts

A special thank you to our sponsors!

Platinum Level

Gold Level

Silver Level

Bronze Level

What is the Catholic Academic Junior High Decathlon?

  • The Academic Junior High Decathlon is a one-day competition for Catholic School students in grades 6-8. This year the event will be in-person where available and online/virtual for schools not in the vicinity of an in-person event.
  • Schools register online – 2 options – 1.) with 10 students on a team participating in the full day, or 2.) with 1-5 students competing in Individual Subject tests only as a POD (Part of Decathlon)
  • There are 10 events:
    • Two are collaborative team efforts – a Logic Quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems, and a Super Quiz with 50 multiple choice questions on five broad academic themes.
    • The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Roman Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Art and Music).
  • Topics for these events are available on a Resource List in September.
  • Study Guides (practice tests and guidance) are available for purchase separately, in October.
  • Awards are given for individual and team performance, and the winning school team from each geographic arch/diocese, and winners of individual subject tests competes in a National championship which is held shortly after the main competition.

History

The Catholic Schools Academic Decathlon was founded in September of 1989 by Dr. Mark Ryan who was then a junior high teacher at St. Aloysius School in south-central Los Angeles. Dr. Ryan had a vision for an academic event to parallel the athletic competitions so prevalent in schools. What began as a tiny competition involving a handful of schools from the greater Los Angeles area has grown to become a statewide event involving Catholic junior high students from across the United States.

The Decathlon is under the guiding jurisdiction of the California Catholic State Superintendents Curriculum Committee (CCSSCC).

Participating Dioceses:

Participating Dioceses

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