The Academic Decathlon is a team competition wherein students match their intellects with students from other schools.

Unlike trivia-based competitions, Acadec requires students to prepare in seven academic areas using source materials provided by the national organization. Participants are also expected to do their own research in those same areas: Art, Economics, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, and Social Science. Academic Decathlon provides students of all learning levels the opportunity to excel academically through team competition.