Application Due Date for both Debate & Civics: August 24th, 11:59 PM
Debate Tryout Date: August 26th from 3:30 - 6:00 PM at Irvington Community Center (TBD)

Civics Interview Date: Starting August 27th from 3:30 - 5:00 PM over Zoom

Contact email: fdahorner@fremontdebateacademy.org.

*Not Affiliated with Horner Middle School. Program is for 6th to 8th graders who currently attend Horner.

Tryouts Information

Debate Tryout Information: Tryouts will be on August 26th from 3:30 - 6:00 PM at the Irvington Community Center (TBD). Applicants will participate in one-on-one miniature debates, where they will be judged based on categories such as argumentation, strength of reasoning, speaking style, and their written application. The tryouts are scored such that previous debate experience is not required for a strong performance! Based on demand, we may cap tryouts. Students will receive an email if they are on the waiting list.

Civics Interview Information: Interviews will be held on September 10th over Zoom from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. Meeting times will be sent to students via email. Interviews will be around 10 to 15 minutes long and applicants will be asked a series of questions to introduce themselves, explain an issue in California they are passionate about, and a potential project they would do to solve this issue. 

NOTE: Students may apply and try out / interview for both programs, but will only be allowed to choose one if they are accepted into both. 
If a student applies to only debate, they do not have to interview for civics. If a student applies to only civics, they do not have to tryout for debate. Only if a student applies to both programs do they need to tryout for debate and interview for civics.

Additional Information about FDA

Introducing Fremont Debate Academy (FDA) 9th annual programs for Horner Middle School students this year!* Fremont Debate Academy is a 501(3) international non-profit with programs run in over 19 states and 8 countries. Over the past 8 years, FDA has impacted over 5000 students, including students from Horner for 8 years! Former students have placed among #1 in the South & East Bay Debate Leagues, #1 in FDA’s International Tournament, and more! FDA also has programs in 21+ schools, and is partnering with FUSD to bring its programs to even more schools this year.

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. 

Program Information

Fremont Debate Academy’s Civics Program For Horner Students

This is a 16 week program focused on mentoring students to design a real-world project to help their community around them. Students will learn about politics, economics, and civic responsibility, and become social entrepreneurs by taking on their initiatives in teams. This is not a debate program. This program will be held weekly in person on Tuesdays at 3:30-5 PM at the Irvington Community Center starting September 3rd.

Fremont Debate Academy’s Debate Program For Horner Students 

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, state-wide, and international tournaments (every 1-2 months in person). This program will be held weekly in person on Mondays at 3:30-5 PM at the Irvington Community Center starting September 9th.

Note: Students may apply and try-out for both programs, but will only be allowed to choose one if they are accepted into both. 6th graders who are accepted into civics will be allowed to participate in their respective FDA elementary school debate program, but 6th graders who are accepted into debate may not. 

We’re excited to see what our debaters and civics students can do this year, and we hope to see you at tryouts!