Extra Curricular Activities

As Catholic school educators, we affirm that  each young person entrusted to our care has been endowed by God with  marvelous intellectual gifts and talents. The United States Catholic  Schools Academic Junior High Decathlon (or AJHD) strives to bring forth  some of those academic talents and celebrate them in the context of  spirit-filled competition. The five goals of the Decathlon are:

• to promote academic excellence
• to promote collaborative spirit and cooperative learning skills
• to promote logical and higher order thinking
• to recognize the contributions of parents, teachers, school  administrators, and business and community members in supporting high  standards for all students; and
• to celebrate the diversity, excellence, and tradition of Catholic schools

The Academic Junior High Decathlon is a competition for students in  grades 6 through 8. There are ten events. Two are collaborative team  efforts – a logic quiz with 20 rigorous thinking problems, and a super  quiz with 50 multiple choice questions on five broad academic themes.  The remaining eight events test individual knowledge of the Roman  Catholic doctrine, English, Literature, Science, Mathematics, Current  Events, Social Studies, and Fine Arts (Art and Music). Awards are given  for individual and team performance, and the winning school team from  each geographic diocese competes in a national championship, usually  held in April. 

  For more information please contact Mr. Galland at sgalland@olph1.org