Fremont Debate Academy Centerville 21-22 Program

Note: Debate is intended to be in-person right now, and civics will be virtual temporarily.

UPDATED** Application Due Date: September 6th
Tryout Date: September 9th

Informational Session (September 3rd, 6:30 - 7:30 PM): https://tinyurl.com/fdainformationalmeeting

Contact email: fdacenterville@fremontdebateacademy.org for any questions

Tryouts Information

Tryouts will be held on September 9th from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. For civics tryouts, you will be asked a few questions about an unresolved issue which you described in your response to the google form. You will not be judged on what the issue is, but on your knowledge of it. For debate tryouts, you will participate in a mini-debate against another person during the tryouts (the topic for this debate will be given to you beforehand). Do not stress out about these tryouts! They are only there for us to know where you currently are in terms of your argumentation skills, and the result of the mini-debate will in no way impact our decision.

NOTE: Students may apply and try-out for both programs, but will only be allowed to choose one if they are accepted into both. More information regarding tryouts will be sent over email after your application is recieved.

Additional Information

Introducing Fremont Debate Academy (FDA) programs for Centerville Junior High School students this year! Fremont Debate Academy is a 501(3) international non-profit with programs scheduled in over 19 states and 8 countries. Over the past 7 years, FDA has impacted over 5000 students, including students from Centerville for 3 years!

We’ve seen the positive impact that these programs have had on our students. Our internal surveys have shown that students participating in FDA’s programs have seen a 39.1% improvement in their self-confidence & public speaking skills, a 45.9% improvement in their worldly knowledge & research skills, and 90% of students saying their participation has had a positive impact on their academic performance. 

Here are the two programs offered by Fremont Debate Academy for Centerville students (open to 7th and 8th grade students):

Centerville Civics

This is a program focused on mentoring students to design a real-world project to help their community around them. Students will learn about politics, economics, civic responsibility, and become social entrepreneurs by taking on their initiatives in teams. This is not a debate program.

 Centerville Debate

This is a year-round competitive debate program following the Middle School Public Debate Format (MSPDP). Students will develop argumentation and research skills, and apply them at regional and state-wide tournaments (virtually held every 1-2 months). 

NOTE: Students may apply and try-out for both programs, but will only be allowed to choose one if they are accepted into both. We’re excited to see what our debaters and civics students can do this year, and we hope to see you at tryouts!