In-Person Classes in Fort Lee, Glen Rock and Livingston

Over 600 students attend and participate every semester in our debate and public speaking classes held in Fort Lee, Glen Rock, and Livingston. Whether your child is new to debate or highly experienced, we offer a class that is suited to meet their needs. Small class sizes - no larger than twelve - allow our coaches to provide hands-on training that is unmatched by other debate programs.  

Classes are divided into three parts: public speaking, debate, and critical thinking. The public speaking portion of class trains students in the arts of persuasion and delivery, providing skills that carry over into other domains like school and leadership roles. The debate portion of class develops mastery in argument construction and research, while engaging students to learn more about the world and current events. Finally, classes hone students’ critical thinking skills with fun games like logic puzzles and trivia. Students leave class each week feeling empowered and intellectually curious.

Every week, students are expected to complete homework assignments that are then checked by coaches. This allows us to keep a record of student progress and track where they need the most assistance. Throughout each semester, parents are invited to meet with our leadership team to receive a report on their student’s progress.

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BDC middle-schoolers participate in a classroom activity designed to spur critical thinking and team-work.

Over 4,000 happy families love sharing their love for BDC

"By participating in BDC's countless practice sessions, lessons with encouraging coaches, and public speaking exercises, I have not only made everlasting friendships with my fellow debate members, but it has also paved the way for who I am today. I would have never known my full potential without BDC's outstanding program."

Ella Kim

Level 2B Alum

"Through countless sessions with coaches and many tournaments with BDC, I have been able to learn so many things about world relations and debate as a whole. Bergen Debate helped foster an environment that helped me not only grow as a debater but also as a person. I have met some of the smartest people I know through BDC. The coaches are some of the best teachers I have ever had. They have helped me grow in a myriad of ways and I will be forever grateful for the knowledge they have shared with me."

Stephen Tomeo

Level 2C Alum

“BDC has brought so many wonderful memories into our home. It seems like it was just yesterday that Stephen and Isabella attended their first class. I remember their very first debate tournament and I’m amazed at how far they have both come. Debate has taught them so many lifelong skills. BDC is there to help you every step of the way, whether it’s for the weekly classes or tournaments. There’s really no place like BDC!”

Christina Tomeo

BDC Parent

“I first started at BDC a few years back as a young, shy speaker, but since then, I have learned so many important things about debate through classes and competition. Now, I have been able to utilize public speaking and logic to persuade others, and the skills I have developed have been very helpful in many places outside of debate as well. The coaches are also highly qualified and helpful. I definitely recommend!”

Suvid Bordia

BDC Alum

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of a typical class?

Classes meet once a week for two hours. Each class allocates time slightly differently depending on level, but generally, the classes are 30 minutes of public speaking practice/drills, 80 minutes of debate lecture/practice/activities, and 10 minutes of critical thinking activities. Every few weeks we will have in-class debates for the full class.

Are the classes online or in-person?

We have in-person classes in Glen Rock, Fort Lee, Livingston, and White Plains. We also offer online classes.

What do the level designations mean?

All new students begin in Level 1A, 2A, or 3A. They move through the levels each semester as they progress. 1A & 1B are for new 5th and 6th graders, 2A-2G are for 6th-8th graders, and 3A-3G are for 9th-12th graders. Each level presents new material, drills, and concepts.

Can we try a class before registering?

Yes, we offer free trial classes so students can get a sense of what our classes are like prior to enrolling. You can register for a free trial class here.

What is the refund policy for the academic semester?

Bergen Debate makes staffing, curriculum, and facility commitments well in advance in order to provide a high-quality educational experience. Because these commitments depend on stable enrollment, our refund and credit policies vary based on the type of registration selected.
Please review this policy carefully before registering.

‍1. Non-Refundable Deposit
‍All registrations include a non-refundable deposit. This deposit secures a student’s spot in the program, covers administrative and staffing costs, and is applied toward total tuition. The deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances.

2. Standard Registrations (Single-Semester & Early Bird)
‍Families who register for one semester at a time during standard registration or Early Bird registration are subject to the refund schedule below.

Prorated Refund Before the 3rd Class. If a withdrawal request is submitted before the student’s third scheduled class, the family may receive either a prorated refund of tuition paid (minus the non-refundable deposit) or a prorated credit that may be applied to future Bergen Debate programs within 12 months. Students must not attend any classes after the withdrawal request in order to remain eligible for a refund.
Prorated Credit Before the 5th Class. If a withdrawal request is submitted after the student’s third class but before the fifth class, refunds are no longer available. In this case, a prorated credit for remaining classes may be issued and applied toward a future program within 12 months.
No Refunds or Credits After the 5th Class. Once the student’s fifth class has occurred, no refunds or credits of any kind will be issued.

Early Bird registration may include priority class selection. If a student later withdraws, their seat in that class is released immediately and may be offered to another family.

3. Bundle Purchases and Preregistration
‍Bundles and preregistration are early-commitment registration options that allow families to secure enrollment for a future semester, often at a discounted rate. These options may include benefits such as locked-in pricing, waived fees (for new students), and priority registration or early access to class selection.

Because bundles and preregistration rely on advance planning and staffing commitments, all bundle and preregistration purchases are non-refundable.
No refunds will be issued for any portion of a bundle or preregistration, including circumstances where a student does not attend, does not select classes for, or withdraws from a future semester. Bundles and preregistration may not be partially refunded. This policy applies even if classes for the future semester have not yet been selected or attended.
Families who anticipate needing flexibility should register one semester at a time rather than selecting a bundle or preregistration option.

‍4. Exceptional Circumstances
‍We understand that unexpected situations can arise. In rare cases involving significant hardship, such as serious medical or family emergencies, Bergen Debate may, at its discretion, offer a credit toward a future program. Credits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Refunds are not offered for bundle or preregistration purchases.

What is the refund and credit policy for summer courses?

1. Full refund — 6+ weeks before the session starts
‍If you withdraw at least three weeks before your course's start date, you can receive a complete refund of all paid costs.

2. Full credit — up to 2 weeks before the course starts
‍If you withdraw between one and three weeks before your course begins, you'll receive a full credit toward a future enrollment — applicable to any academic semester or summer session.
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3. No refund or credit — within 2 weeks of the start date
‍Withdrawals made within one week of the course start date are not eligible for a refund or credit.

What format of debate does Bergen Debate use for classes and competition?

We use Public Forum (PF) Debate, which is a two-versus-two style of debate focusing on current events, research, and critical thinking. It is the most popular and largest competitive debate event in North America.

What topics do students debate?

Topics are set by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) and change every 1-2 months of the debate season. You can view the topic listing here. Topics cover domestic and international economics, international relations, and moral issues

My child has done debate at school or another program. Can they start at a higher level?

Yes, prior experience can often change a student's course recommendation. Please reach out to us at support@bergendebate.com to get more direct guidance on which course to register for if your student has prior experience.

Who teaches the courses?

We are proud to have an elite faculty of college graduates who were former champion debaters, coaches, and teachers instructing our classes. Please visit our faculty page to learn more!

When can I register?

Course registration is based on semester - Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer. Typically, Fall registration will open in late February and remain open through the start of classes in late August or September. Winter/Spring registration will open in October and remain open through the start of classes in late January. Summer registration opens in February and remains open through the start of each session. For both Fall and Winter/Spring students may register up to three weeks after the start of the semester. For Summer, there is no late registration permitted for a session.

What is the size of a class?

At most 12 students unless noted otherwise for partnership purposes.

Do students have the ability to compete?

Yes, our students will have practice debate rounds in their classes to get experience in live competition. Additionally, students are eligible to compete in both the IntraClub Competitions (starting at Level 2A) as well as being part of the Travel Team (starting at Level 2B). All students are eligible to compete at the End of Semester tournament.

What is the travel team?

The Travel Team are students who compete at external national level tournaments.

When are students eligible for the travel team?

Students are eligible for the travel team once they reach Level 2B.

What is the schedule this semester? Which days are off?

You can view the semester schedule including days off here.

We are going to miss class. Can we schedule a make up?

Yes, we do online 1:1 private make ups via Zoom when you miss a class. We offer multiple slots each in order to accommodate your schedule. All families get two makeups as part of their tuition each semester. At the beginning of the semester you will receive an email entitled “Make Up Instructions & Information” — all the information is there. This information can also be found in your portal. You can schedule at most one week in advance.

What is Level X?

Level X is our highest-level weekly class for high school students with more than 3+ years of experience. Students must be approved before registering for this class.

What is the Customized Learning Track?

The Customized Learning Track is for advanced high school students looking for more flexibility in scheduling their courses throughout the semester who have taken Level X at least once. You can learn more about the Customized Learning Track here.

Where are you located?

Fort Lee: 440 West Street (Third Floor)
Glen Rock: 66 Glen Ave (Lower level)
Livingston: 4215 Town Center Way (Suite 7C, 2nd Floor)
White Plains: 5 Waller Ave (4th Floor)

How are the locations different?

The curriculum and class structure is the same everywhere! Our coaches are taught uniformly & the coaches also rotate locations.

In-Person Debate Classes for 5th to 12th Graders

BDC Track Record

BDC Track Record

In-Person Classes in Fort Lee, Glen Rock and Livingston

BDC Class Structure

BDC Alumni Continue to Gain admission to top Colleges & High Schools

Over 4,000 happy families love sharing their love for BDC

Frequently Asked Questions

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