CALENDAR & SCHEDULE
2022-23 Bergen Debate Club Schedule & Tuition
Academic Semester
New Students
GR 5-6
Targeted at young students, this course focuses on the absolute fundamentals. Students begin by building confidence through public speaking, rhetoric, and critical thinking exercises.
New Students
Gr 7-8
This level focuses on teaching the basics of argumentation. Students will learn how to form an argument, support it with evidence, and present it in a speech.
New Students
HS
For students in high school without any experience, this course will teach them the fundamentals as quickly as possible. This level focuses on public speaking, confidence, and argumentation. In addition, students will begin to focus on the format of a competitive debate and how to answer an opposing argument.
Data Science Acceleration
Experienced Students
MS NOV/JV
Students will build on their skill, continuing with an emphasis on public speaking and research. Ideally suited for students with a year or less of debate experience.
Experienced Students
MS JV
Students will begin to combine previous skills, focusing on how to present arguments through case-writing and rebuttal speeches. Typically students in this level have at least one semester of debate experience.
Experienced Students
MS VAR
Students in this level are introduced to advanced debate concepts, and can begin competing at top tournaments across the country. This level is suited for students who are very committed to debate and have at least one year of debate experience.
Experienced Students
HS JV/VAR
This course is perfect for high school students with one to two years of experience. While focusing on mastering the key skills of public speaking and research, students in this level will begin to learn about advanced debate concepts and how to answer them.
Experienced Students
HS VAR
Advanced high school students will find this level engaging but still challenging. Students will be asked to write their own cases, doing in-depth research on the topic. In addition, students will learn how to master advanced debate techniques at the highest level.
Experienced Students
BERGEN A-TEAM
This level is for the most advanced students who hope to qualify to the debate Tournament of Champions. Students will learn by rigorously and frequently holding practice debates, prepping with coaches, and researching multiple cases on each topic.