McGarvin Intermediate School students from the Garden Grove Unified School District read and answer questions as a team during the Super Quiz round of the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon, held May 3 at Bolsa Grande High School. 
Supporters cheer from the stands as teams take part in the Super Quiz during the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon at Bolsa Grande High School on May 3. 
Gordon H. Beatty Middle School students from the Buena Park School District sit in the cheering section as they await their turn during the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon. 
Students from Fairmont Private Schools review questions as they participate in the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon at Bolsa Grande High School. 
Fairmont Private Schools’ coach and students clap and cheer from the stands in support of their teammates during the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon. 
Students from Bell Intermediate School in the Garden Grove Unified School District celebrate their moment at the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon. 
Students and supporters wave pompoms and cheer for their teams during the Super Quiz at the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon.
Quick look: Five middle school teams from Orange County will represent the region at the United States Academic Pentathlon National Finals, taking place May 15 through May 17 at the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk in Texas. The competition, themed “Our Changing Climate,” challenges students in grades six through eight to apply their knowledge across five academic subjects: fine arts, literature, mathematics, science and social science.
Five middle school teams from Orange County will travel to San Antonio, Texas next week to compete in the United States Academic Pentathlon competition, a rigorous scholastic event that challenges students across five subject areas.
The national event, taking place May 15 through May 17 at the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk, is part of a premier academic program developed by the United States Academic Decathlon organization.
Each year, teams of students in grades six through eight study an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on a central theme. This year’s topic, “Our Changing Climate,” is explored through fine arts, literature, mathematics, science and social science.
Representing Orange County are teams from McGarvin Intermediate School in the Garden Grove Unified School District and Fairmont Private Schools in Anaheim. McGarvin’s eighth-grade team earned first place at the county level, while its seventh-grade team placed second. Fairmont captured first place in the seventh-grade division and second among eighth-graders.
Also advancing is the sixth-grade team from Gordon H. Beatty Middle School in the Buena Park School District, which placed first in its division at the county level and second in the state.
The Academic Pentathlon was created to provide middle school students with opportunities to engage in challenging academic contests while developing communication and teamwork skills. Teams are composed of students from three different grade-point average categories — Honor (those with GPAs of 3.80 or above), Scholastic (GPAs of 3.20 to 3.79) and Varsity (GPAs of 3.19 or below). These categories ensure all students have an opportunity to compete.
Each team may have between six and nine students, and scores are calculated based on the top two performers in each GPA category.
Locally, the Orange County Department of Education facilitates the regional Pentathlon, with support from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to watch these young people rise to the challenge of a new and demanding curriculum each year,” said Kristin Rigby, OCDE’s coordinator of academic events and recognition programs. “I especially love seeing students from all academic levels come together, supporting each other like a true team, whether they’re competing in the Super Quiz or cheering at the awards ceremony. This Pentathlon program not only builds academic skills, but also fosters teamwork and school pride — skills that will benefit students far beyond the classroom.”
While many preliminary Academic Pentathlon contests are conducted virtually, both the Orange County and national competitions are held in person, offering students an opportunity to connect, compete and celebrate their hard work on a larger stage.
More information about the United States Academic Pentathlon, including rules and schedules, can be found at usad.org/pentathlon.
For more information on how to start an academic decathlon or pentathlon program at your school, contact Kristin Rigby, OCDE coordinator of academic events and recognition programs, at 714-966-4435 or KRigby@ocde.us.