A structured debate course designed for students ready to begin competing.
Riki Balu
Stanford Finalist
CDA has helped me grow a lot as a debater. The coaches and the class schedule are great for enhancing prep and in-round strategy as a debater. I would recommend this club if you want to join a good environment and become a better debater.
| Class Schedule | Timings | Day | Status | Instructor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep 1, 2026 – Dec 8, 2026 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CT TBA TuesdayOPEN CLASS | |||||
Sep 2, 2026 – Dec 9, 2026 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM CT TBA WednesdayOPEN CLASS | |||||
Sep 1, 2026 -Dec 8, 2026 | 7:00 PM -8:30 PM CT | Tuesday | OPEN CLASS | TBA | |
Sep 2, 2026 -Dec 9, 2026 | 6:30 PM -8:00 PM CT | Wednesday | OPEN CLASS | TBA |
This course is built for experienced middle school debaters who are ready to compete and think strategically in Public Forum. Over 14 weeks, students will move beyond skill-building and into active competition preparation, developing the strategic mindset and adaptability needed to perform at a high level in tournament settings.
Students will focus on the strategic dimensions of Public Forum — learning how to read a round, adapt to different judging paradigms, and make real-time decisions about argument selection and emphasis. The course covers advanced case construction, rebuttal strategy, and how to collapse effectively in summary and final focus to tell a winning story.
This course sharpens the competitive edge. Students will refine their flowing, strengthen their ability to weigh and frame arguments persuasively, and develop the partner communication skills that distinguish top-performing teams. Through regular practice rounds and post-round analysis, debaters will learn how to identify weaknesses in their own performance and adjust their approach from round to round.
By the end of the course, students will be actively competing in Public Forum tournaments with a clear strategic identity. They will be prepared to advance into the CDA Development Team and National Debate Club, equipped with the skills to prepare independently for new topics, adapt under pressure, and thrive at the next level of competitive debate.
Start Date
September 2, 2026
End Date
December 9, 2026
Skill Group
Varsity
Location
Online
Class Frequency
Weekly
Total Number of Slots
10
Number of Sessions
14
Next Course
Travel Team
Where we expect your student's to go
Winter 2027
Travel Team - Middle School
Civic Debate Academy makes high-quality debate coaching affordable for all. With flexible pricing, financial aid, and scholarships, no student is held back by cost. We're here to ensure everyone can excel in debate, without breaking the bank. If you want to join the program, cost won't be the reason you don't.
If you want your child to join this program, cost will not be the reason they can't. We'll work with you to find a solution that fits your family's budget. Click here to learn more about financial aid.
