Competitive Debate, Grades 5–12
From First Argument to Tournament Stage
Structured competitive debate training for students in Grades 5–12.
Washington Debate Academy helps students build strong foundations, receive focused coaching, prepare for tournaments, and progress through demonstrated skill, performance, and leadership.
- Day
- Once a week
- Time
- 5:30–7:00 PM
- Location
- Redmond Center at Marymoor Park
- City
- Redmond, Washington
A Structured Pathway to Competitive Debate
Washington Debate Academy is an in-person competitive debate academy serving students in Grades 5–12. Students learn how to research complex topics, construct persuasive arguments, respond under pressure, communicate with confidence, and engage respectfully with opposing viewpoints.
The program welcomes both first-time debaters and experienced competitors. Students begin with core skills and progress toward tournament competition, advanced performance, mentorship, and leadership.
Why Debate
Skills That Extend Far Beyond the Round
Critical thinking
Research
Evidence evaluation
Argument construction
Active listening
Confident communication
Teamwork
Leadership
Debate Formats
Four Competitive Formats, One Foundation
Students develop common foundational skills, then receive focused coaching in an appropriate competitive event.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Students analyze current events and prepare structured, persuasive speeches within a limited preparation period.
- Current-events awareness
- Research
- Analysis
- Organization
- Persuasive delivery
- Speaking under time pressure
Congressional Debate
Students participate in a simulated legislative chamber and deliver speeches for and against proposed legislation.
- Legislative analysis
- Parliamentary procedure
- Persuasive speaking
- Questioning
- Rebuttal
- Strategic participation
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
A one-on-one debate format centered on values, ethics, philosophy, and public policy.
- Values-based reasoning
- Framework development
- Case construction
- Cross-examination
- Refutation
- Strategic argument comparison
World Schools Debate
A team-based format that combines prepared and impromptu motions.
- Teamwork
- Argumentation
- Rebuttal
- Strategy
- Persuasive delivery
- Adaptation during a live round
Schedule & Location
Join Us on the Eastside
Classes begin September 10, 2026 and meet weekly at Redmond Center at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, serving students throughout Redmond, Sammamish, Bellevue, Issaquah, and neighboring Eastside communities.
- Class Day
- Once a week
- Start Date
- September 10, 2026
- Class Time
- 5:30–7:00 PM
- Location
- Redmond Center at Marymoor Park
- Breaks
- Aligned with academic calendar
Student Journey
Students Progress Through Skill, Not Time
Students are evaluated continuously by the coaching team. Advancement is based on demonstrated skills, competition readiness, performance, professionalism and leadership.
Spark
Building the foundation
Contender
Applying core skills
Challenger
Becoming competition-ready
Champion
Performing at an advanced level
Titan
Leading and leaving a legacy
Spark
Building the foundation
Contender
Applying core skills
Challenger
Becoming competition-ready
Champion
Performing at an advanced level
Titan
Leading and leaving a legacy
Competition Pathway
From Practice Room to Tournament Round
Preparation is steady and cumulative. Students build toward competition through structured practice, coaching, and feedback — never a shortcut, and never a guarantee of a specific result.
- 1Practice rounds
- 2Research
- 3Case preparation
- 4Rebuttal
- 5Delivery coaching
- 6Tournament procedures
- 7Feedback and improvement