Competitive Debate Academy

Grades 6–8

Advanced 5th graders may be considered with instructor approval.

Weekly Coaching + Congress to Public Forum Pathway

Think clearly. Speak persuasively. Compete with purpose.

Competitive Debate Academy introduces middle school students to formal, tournament-style debate in a serious but supportive environment.

Students begin with Congressional Debate, where they learn to write persuasive speeches, argue policy issues, ask strong questions, respond to opposing viewpoints, and speak with confidence in a formal setting.

As the year progresses, students move into Public Forum Debate. This partner-based debate format develops evidence-based argumentation, crossfire questioning, rebuttals, impact weighing, strategic decision-making, and accountability to a teammate.

This full-year pathway helps students build the skills needed for competitive debate while developing habits that extend far beyond a round: critical thinking, research, evidence evaluation, persuasive communication, active listening, preparation, resilience, and confidence under pressure.

At Edge Up, competition is a classroom. Winning is celebrated, but it is not the only measure of success. Students prepare, take intellectual risks, receive feedback, reflect, revise, and improve.

The Edge Up Coaching Model

Students are supported by a layered coaching model that combines weekly instruction, expert mentorship, tournament-style practice, and between-class learning support.

The program includes:

✔ Weekly in-person coached debate instruction: Wednesdays, 4:00–5:00 PM
✔ Monthly expert masterclasses with experienced debaters, attorneys, coaches, and practitioners
✔ Monthly debate labs focused on drills, practice rounds, scrimmages, and tournament preparation
✔ Communication coaching focused on delivery, confidence, judge adaptation, and speaking under pressure
✔ Edge Up+ asynchronous support materials for continued learning between classes
✔ Individual and team feedback throughout the year
✔ Optional private or small-group coaching available at an additional cost

This model provides students consistent weekly training while exposing them to specialists with different competitive, academic, and professional perspectives.

Students Will Learn

Congressional Debate Foundations

• Persuasive speech writing

• Policy argumentation

• Parliamentary procedure

• Questioning and response strategy

• Speaking with clarity, confidence, and authority

• Listening to opposing viewpoints

• Respectful disagreement and debate decorum

• Thinking quickly under pressure

Public Forum Debate Skills

• Public Forum structure, roles, and round strategy

• Partner-based case preparation

• Research and responsible evidence use

• Argument construction and case writing

• Flowing and active listening

• Crossfire questioning and response strategy

• Rebuttals and frontline development

• Summary and Final Focus

• Impact comparison and weighing

• Judge adaptation and persuasive delivery

• Reflection, revision, and learning from feedback

The Full-Year Experience Includes

✔ Weekly coached competitive debate instruction for the full academic year
✔ Congressional Debate foundations in the first part of the year
✔ Public Forum Debate training as students progress
✔ Guided research and argument development
✔ Partner-based case preparation
✔ Coached practice rounds
✔ In-class scrimmages and tournament-style competitions
✔ Monthly expert masterclasses
✔ Monthly debate drills, practice rounds, or tournament-prep labs
✔ Edge Up+ asynchronous learning resources
✔ Individual and team feedback
✔ Optional coaching add-ons for students seeking more individualized preparation

Practice Tournaments + Competitive Readiness

Students will be encouraged to participate in practice tournaments, scrimmages, and tournament-style opportunities when they are ready.

External tournaments are not required, and families are not expected to travel unless they choose to pursue outside competition opportunities.

When appropriate, students may be invited or encouraged to represent Edge Up in local or regional debate opportunities. External tournament registration, travel, meals, chaperone costs, and tournament-specific coaching are not included in Competitive Debate Academy tuition and may involve additional fees.

Optional Coaching Add-On

The core program already includes weekly coaching, regular feedback, monthly masterclasses, and monthly debate labs.

Students who want additional individualized support may add private or small-group coaching at an additional cost.

Optional coaching may include:

• case review

• speech writing support

• rebuttal practice

• crossfire practice

• tournament-specific preparation

• partner strategy

• judge adaptation

• confidence and delivery coaching

This add-on is recommended for students preparing for external tournaments or seeking more personalized feedback beyond the academy structure.

Pathway to Edge Up Competitive Debate Team

Students enrolled in Competitive Debate Academy may have the opportunity to advance to the Edge Up Competitive Debate Team later in the year.

Readiness will be based on:

• consistent preparation and participation

• commitment to continued growth

• partner accountability

• responsiveness to coaching and feedback

• interest in representing Edge Up at external tournaments

• ability to handle the increased expectations of competitive preparation

The Debate Team pathway may include additional practices, tournament preparation, and participation in local competitions.

Tuition

Full-year: $1,795 founding rate
No returning family or sibling discounts apply.
Payment plan available.

Competitive Debate Academy is offered as a full-year program because formal debate skills take time to develop. Students need repeated cycles of research, speech writing, practice rounds, feedback, revision, and tournament-style experience to become stronger, more confident debaters.

Days: Wednesdays
Times: 4:00-5:00 PM
Location: Narra Collective Studio, 333 Washington St Fl 3, Jersey City

Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 1/6 (1.5 hour class), 1/13 (1.5 hour class), 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26

The masterclass/debate drills calendar will be released before the academy begins.