Debate & Speech Programs & Competitions for High School Students

Debate remains one of the most respected humanities extracurriculars: national circuits in Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Congressional debate, plus speech events and summer debate institutes.

Sustained debate achievement signals exactly what selective colleges want — research ability, argumentation, and composure under pressure.

62 verified programs match this page; 15 of the featured listings are completely free; 2 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Tournament of Champions Qualifier — Tournament of Champions: Compete in an elite high school debate competition to sharpen public speaking and critical thinking skills. Stand out on college applications with thi
• Tournament of Champions Debate — Various: Compete in the elite Tournament of Champions Debate, the most prestigious high school competition. Build critical thinking skills and strengthen colle
• Glenbrooks Debate Tournament — Glenbrook Schools: Compete in the Glenbrooks Debate Tournament, a top national-circuit competition for high schoolers. Build critical thinking skills and boost your coll
• World Schools Debating Championships — World Schools Debating Council: Annual international English-language debating championship for national high school teams from around the world.
• US Universities Debating Championship — American Parliamentary Debate Association: Major annual British Parliamentary debating championship for U.S. university teams, run under the American Parliamentary Debate Association.
• International Young Physicists' Tournament — International Young Physicists' Tournament Association: A global team-based physics research and debate competition for high school students.
• Atlas Fellowship — High School Philosophy & Economics — Atlas Society / Atlas Fellowship: Free competitive fellowship for high school students interested in philosophy, economics, and Ayn Rand's ideas, offering $100,000 in scholarships, sum
• Economics for Leaders — Foundation for Teaching Economics: Transform your future with this selective summer program for grades 10-11, blending economics, leadership, and public speaking to boost skills and col
• Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Debate — Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE): Nationwide English debate competition for CISCE-affiliated Indian schools in junior and senior categories.
• Underline Space Roundtable — Space Minds Center: The Space Minds Center was created to inspire interest and proactive thinking about space policy in emerging political science and international relat
• Emory Barkley Forum for High Schools — Emory University: Major national tournament since 1956. 1000+ students from 35 states.
• Yale Model Government Europe (YMGE) — Yale International Relations Association: Simulate European parliamentary government at Yale's premier international affairs conference. Debate real EU policy issues alongside 800+ students fr
• National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament — National Speech & Debate Association: The world's largest academic competition for high school students in competitive debate and speech events, culminating in the NSDA National Tournament
• Science on Tap Student Science Competition — Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): A teen-led science communication competition where high school students present engaging talks on scientific topics to a public audience.
• European Youth Parliament (USA Sessions) — European Youth Parliament Network: Pan-European youth parliament simulation with delegates from 40 countries. Debates current EU policy issues. Demonstrates international engagement and
• Pan African Universities Debating Championship — Pan African Universities Debating Council: Africa’s largest university debate championship using British Parliamentary format, hosted annually by rotating African universities.
• Empire Mock Trial — Empire Mock Trial: Transform your public speaking and advocacy skills in this elite high school competition. Engage in realistic courtroom trials and boost your college
• Greenhill Fall Classic — Greenhill School: Compete in the Greenhill Fall Classic, a top-tier debate tournament for high school students. Build critical thinking skills, boost college applicatio
• Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) — Harvard International Relations Council: Immerse yourself in global diplomacy at one of the largest high school Model UN conferences. Build public speaking, leadership, and international rela
• World Schools Debate Championship US Team — World Schools Debate: Selection to represent Team USA at World Schools Debate Championship. Requires excellence in tryout process.
• Yale Invitational Debate Tournament — Yale University: Compete in the prestigious Yale Invitational Debate Tournament! High school students sharpen public speaking, critical thinking, and boost college app
• ILMUNC (Ivy League Model United Nations Conference) — University of Pennsylvania International Affairs Association: Excel in diplomacy and debate at ILMUNC, a prestigious Model UN competition for high school students. Build leadership skills and boost college applic
• We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution — Center for Civic Education: A nationwide high school competition on the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties, and democratic principles through simulated congressional hearings.
• Capitol Forum Debate & Speech — Capitol Forum: Master debate and public speaking skills in this national competition for high schoolers. Boost college applications while gaining hands-on experience
• National High School Ethics Bowl — University of North Carolina Parr Center for Ethics: Enhance ethical reasoning and debate skills in the National High School Ethics Bowl. Free competition for grades 9-12, perfect for college application
• Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC) — Princeton International Relations Council: Join a selective Model UN competition for high schoolers (Grades 9-12) to build public speaking, policy, and leadership skills—perfect for college app
• Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition (CMUNCE) — Columbia International Relations Council and Association: Join a specialized high school Model UN conference to sharpen diplomacy, public speaking, and leadership skills. Boost your college application with h
• North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) — Georgetown International Relations Association: Develop diplomacy, debate, and leadership skills at NAIMUN, a premier high school Model UN competition with hands-on international relations experienc
• Stanford National Forensic Institute (SNFI) — Stanford Debate: Elevate your debate and public speaking skills at this hybrid summer program for high schoolers. Gain hands-on experience, leadership skills, and a bo
• Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops — Harvard Debate Council: Master debate techniques, public speaking, and research in this elite summer program for high schoolers. Gain skills for college applications and lead

Frequently asked questions