Orange County academic decathletes score big with individual and team awards at state contest

Orange County’s final four academic decathlon teams took home more than 40 awards after facing off against the state’s top decathletes. 

For the 46th year in a row, high school students  — with support from their coaches and advisers — gathered to compete in 10 subjects at the California Academic Decathlon, which featured more than 50 teams. 

From March 20 to March 23, decathletes put their months of studying to the test through essays, speeches and interviews centered on the theme, “Our Changing Climate.” Students also completed multiple-choice exams in economics, art, science, literature and more. 

Orange County students representing Bolsa Grande, University, Valencia and Woodbridge high schools were awarded a total 39 individual awards and five team trophies. A complete list of the 2025 winners has been posted by the California Academic Decathlon.

Woodbridge High School’s countywide winners placed eighth in Division 1 with a score of 43,629 points. This year’s first-place team was the reigning state champion, El Camino Real Charter High School. Valencia High School from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District secured 10th place overall in Division 1 with 42,468 points. 

Bolsa Grande High School reached its goal of advancing to the statewide competition this year, earning fourth place in Division 2 with 41,324 points. The Garden Grove Unified School District team also had a strong showing in the fast-paced Super Quiz event, scoring third place in Division 2.

With 40,347 points, the Irvine Unified School District’s University High School rounded out the Orange County winners by taking seventh place in Division 2.

OCDE academic events coordinator Kristin Rigby said watching the students put in months of hard work to compete and be rewarded for their efforts is truly special. 

“I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the team that coordinates the California Academic Decathlon each year,” Rigby said. “It’s so rewarding to help provide an enriching academic program that not only builds essential skills but also creates lasting memories for students.”

Five Los Angeles-area campuses — El Camino Real Charter, Granada Hills Charter, Mark Keppel, Alhambra and Verdugo Hills high schools — will defend California’s 20-year winning streak at the national competition in May in Des Moines, Iowa. 

The Academic Decathlon was founded by former Orange County Superintendent Dr. Robert Peterson, who envisioned a “decathlon of studies” while a prisoner during World War II. Each team consists of of three “Honor” students (those with GPAs of 3.80 and above), along with three “Scholastic” students (GPAs of 3.20 to 3.79) and three “Varsity” students (GPAs of 3.199 and below).

Since the first decathlon at Bolsa Grande High School in 1968, high school teams have participated in scholastic contests at the county, state and national levels.