Quick look: Woodbridge High School claimed first place at the 2026 Orange County Academic Decathlon, earning its ninth county title in the past 10 years. More than 560 students competed across three divisions this year, with winners announced Friday night
Woodbridge High School’s Academic Decathlon dominance shows no signs of slowing down.
The Irvine campus captured first place overall at the 2026 Orange County Academic Decathlon, earning its ninth county championship in the past 10 years after two weekends of testing, speeches and high-energy team competition.
This year’s Academic Decathlon brought together 564 students from high schools across Orange County, all competing under the 2025–26 theme, “The Roaring Twenties.” The competition concluded Jan. 31 in Costa Mesa with the Super Quiz Relay, a fast-paced team event that turned academic knowledge into a spirited, crowd-cheering finale. Final results were announced Friday night during a ceremony at Orange Coast College.
Woodbridge led Division 1 with a total score of 46,949.3, finishing ahead of Valencia High School and University High School, which placed second and third in the division, respectively.
“This group was driven to capture championship No. 10 for Woodbridge,” head coach Mike Nakaue said. “They knew they had to work for it, and no one said it would be easy.”
Nakaue said the team’s chemistry played a key role throughout the season.
“They had a tremendous decathlon spirit which enhanced a ‘circle of trust’ as they prepared for competition,” he said. “The results at the awards were very gratifying and the coaching staff is very proud of all of them.”
In Division 2, Kennedy High School earned first place, followed by La Quinta High School and Garden Grove High School. Segerstrom High School topped Division 3, with Yorba Linda High School and Villa Park High School rounding out the top three.
For many participants and spectators, the Super Quiz Relay was once again a decathlon highlight.
“I always find myself having these moments of awe,” said Kristin Rigby, coordinator of Academic Events and Recognition Programs at the Orange County Department of Education.
“You have more than 500 students in a gym for an academic competition that feels like a sporting event — cheering sections, face paint, signs and so much school spirit,” she said. “It’s especially powerful for students who may not play a traditional team sport but still get to experience that same exhilaration of competing together.”
A lasting impact
That blend of academic rigor and team spirit reflects the program’s origins in Orange County.
The Academic Decathlon was founded in 1968 by former Orange County Superintendent of Schools Robert Peterson, who envisioned an academic competition that brought together students from across the academic spectrum and emphasized collaboration alongside individual achievement.
What began as a local initiative has since grown into a national program.
Rigby, who has worked with Academic Decathlon programs for two decades, said seeing students reach this point after months of preparation underscores the program’s lasting impact.
“When I talk with alumni, they often tell me how decathlon helped them build skills they still use today — public speaking, studying effectively, managing their time,” she said. “Many stay close with their teammates years after graduating, and I’ve even heard from alumni who say a decathlon topic helped them choose a college major and eventually a career. That kind of impact stays with you.”
In addition to team honors, students were recognized Friday for top individual scores across the Honor, Scholastic and Varsity GPA categories. Woodbridge students led the Honor division, with Henry Robbins earning the highest individual score overall at 9,310.8 points.
The state competition
The Orange County Academic Decathlon Association will provide a $4,000 travel stipend to the winning team to help offset costs for the state competition, scheduled for March 19–22 at the Santa Clara Marriott. Additional teams from Orange County may also be invited to the state competition, with those announcements expected next week.
Each Academic Decathlon team consists of nine students representing a range of academic backgrounds. Participants are evaluated through written exams in 10 subject areas, prepared and impromptu speeches, interviews and the Super Quiz Relay.
Rigby said the program’s value extends well beyond medals and trophies.
“I truly believe extracurricular activities should be part of every student’s educational experience,” she said. “That’s where students find their passions, their people and lessons they won’t always learn in the classroom.”