Twenty-two teams from 15 high schools will compete at this year’s Academic Decathlon to be held at CCRI in Warwick on Sunday, March 12. The public portion of the event is held in the Hackett Theatre from 4 to 6 p.m.

Bishop Hendricken High School, the reigning state champion, joins teams from Central, Classical, Cranston West, Cumberland, East Greenwich, Johnston, La Salle Academy, North Kingstown, North Providence, Pilgrim, South Kingstown, Toll Gate, Westerly and the Wheeler School at the competition.

Academic Decathlon teams include nine high school students and alternates who have met regularly since September to master a ten-subject curriculum based around the theme of World War II. During team meetings, they study together, conduct mock interviews, give speeches, discuss questions and quiz each other. At the competition, they’ll demonstrate their knowledge by taking examinations in math, science, literature, art, music social science and economics, as well as giving prepared and impromptu speeches and being interviewed by a judging panel. The teams previously finished the essay exam online.

There are 221 students from around the state competing for individual medals and team awards. The team that has the highest cumulative score at the Rhode Island championship will advance to the Academic Decathlon national competition in Madison, Wisconsin, in April.

“While the Academic Decathlon celebrates knowledge and persistence, it’s not just for academically elite students” said Mary Johnson, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Academic Decathlon. Team scores are calculated using the top two scores in each division, Honors (A students), Scholastic (B students) and Varsity (C students). “The Decathlon encourages students of all abilities to work together, improving their study skills and developing more confidence in their public speaking and communication abilities.”

The “Super Quiz”, a quiz-bowl type showcase competition, and the awards ceremonies will be held in the Hackett Theater beginning at 4 p.m. The Super Quiz and the awards are free and open to the public.