<p>I would like to start an academic decathlon team at my school next year, but my state does not participate. Could anyone give my some suggestions please? I am in ninth grade, but I will enter the high school building next year, so my counselor will change. Should I start by talking to my counselor or talk to someone at the high school? Any help would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Has anyone here started a team in a state without the program already existing?</p>
<p>That's a big responsibility if your state doesn't participate. Maybe starting a quiz bowl team would be easier? Or you could think about Model UN or debate + speech.</p>
<p>Yeah, it's going to be really hard, what state do you live in?</p>
<p>I live in DC. Would this make it easier or harder to start a team? Should I even bother trying to talk to my counselor?</p>
<p>I'd definitely do SOMETHING. I just think you have better options than AcaDec. It's expensive, and I'm not sure what you'd do if there weren't state/regional competitions to attend. Maybe you could call up the Virginia or Maryland state advisors and see if you could participate in their competitions?</p>
<p>Nothing to add here other than go for it - Academic Decathlon is one of my most memorable high school experiences.</p>