Middle School Debate

We fundamentally believe that in the Age of AI, your ability to speak clearly, persuade confidently, and lead decisively is your unfair advantage. Debate trains the uniquely human skills that no machine can replicate — the ones that create leaders and changemakers. Focused on middle school students, we introduce debate through the lens of Congressional Debate, which balances public speaking and argumentation skills applicable to the real world.

Target Students for This Program

  • Grade in ‘25-’26 Academic Year: 4th through 7th. If currently in 8th grade, check out out the Novice Debate program

  • Experience Level:

    • Minimum: No minimum requirement

    • Maximum: No maximum limit. If you have a lot of experience and want to learn at the high school level, our Congressional Debate program may be a better fit

Ascend California Middle School Debate Experiences

Registration is open for Summer 2026! Early registration ends 12/31/25.

2 Week - Residential with 1-on-1 Package: $3,999.99 4,499.99, July 12 - 26, 2026 (Recommended, limited to first 10 students—schedule a call to learn more about this experience)

2 Week - Residential: $2,999.99 3,499.99, July 12 - 26, 2026 (Recommended)

1 Week - Residential: $2,599.99, July 12 - 19, 2026

2 Week - Commuter: $2,599.99, July 12 - 26, 2026

1 Week - Commuter: $1,999.99, July 12 - 19, 2026

Stated prices exclude transaction fees if paying online by credit or debit card. While paying online by credit or debit card is our preferred payment method, we also offer alternative payment methods—more information available here.

Why Middle School Debate at Ascend California?

 

  • College Admissions Accelerant: Debate is one of the largest academic extracurriculars in the world: while the activity is largest in high school, proactive students begin in middle school. College admissions committees value students with notable accomplishments in debate. For many students who start in high school, the wins that colleges value the most occur in 12th grade after they submit their applications

  • High School Success Optimization: Starting debate in middle school maximizes students’ likelihood of winning the tournaments that make a difference on applications while also demonstrating multi-year commitment to a premier extracurricular that colleges love

  • Track Record: Every winner of the Tournament of Champions in Congressional Debate this decade has been part of Team Ascend: Rohit Jhawar (2020), Andrew Sun (2021), Anish Beeram (2022), Tyler Luu (2023), Fadhil Lawal (2024), and Swathi Bodduluri (2025). No other camp has achieved the same level of success in Congress. Check out a recent panel interview Quest Sandel led with Rohit, Andrew, Anish, and Tyler.

  • Learning That Doesn’t Stop: Your Ascend experience isn’t limited to camp. You’ll have the opportunity to compete with Team Ascend during the academic year through the Ascend Online Middle School Team, as well as learn at the high school level during the school year through free Ascend Academy group coaching. No other debate learning platform offers this seamless year-round learning experience.

  • Personalization: One of Ascend’s founding principles is that each of you are unique debaters with different styles. Rather than a one-size fits all approach, our coaches take a personalized approach to help you grow as a debater.

Key Learning Features

  • One-on-One Sessions

    We deliver a greater focus on one-on-one sessions than any other camp so that we can provide coaching specific to your needs. On average, you will receive one-on-one instruction every other day of camp. You will have the ability to work with the coaches that best fit your style. One-on-one sessions allow for a greater focus on your individual needs as a debater.

  • Mock Rounds

    We don’t just believe in teaching concepts. We believe that the best way to fully understand them is by practicing the lessons that are taught by our coaches in a tournament-like setting. We will offer at least one mock round a day and oftentimes two mock rounds a day where you will receive feedback that is tailored to the concepts that you are learning.

  • School Year Coaching

    You will be able to keep engaging with your Ascend California coaches throughout the academic year through the Ascend Online Middle School Team. You’ll also have free access to all our high school group coaching programs offered through Ascend Academy. No other debate learning platform offers such a robust year-round learning platform to help you achieve your goals.

Sample Daily Schedule

  • 8:00am-9:00am: Breakfast

  • 9:00am-10:30am: Mock Round 1

  • 10:30am-12:30pm: Skill Lectures

  • 12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch

  • 1:30pm-3:00pm: Lab Focused on Strategy & Drills

  • 3:00pm-5:00pm: One-on-Ones & Topic Lectures

  • 5:00pm-6:00pm: Mock Round 2

  • 6:00pm-7:00pm: Dinner

  • 7:00pm-7:45pm: Feedback on Mocks

  • 7:45pm-9:00pm: Office Hours

    Subject to change: Fun activities and other Ascend events can change the schedule on any given day.

FAQs

  • Yes! Ascend’s Online Middle School Team offers students the opportunity to compete under the Ascend Academy name and receive coaching from dedicated middle school coaches from September to June of every year. Learn more about this school year coaching program here.

  • Our Middle School Debate summer camp is currently only hosted at Ascend California. Ascend California is our flagship summer experience with the most coaches in the country.

  • This offering enables your student to sign up for a dedicated debate lab focused on teaching middle school students the fundamentals of teaching debate through the lens of Congressional Debate.

    Ascend’s Congressional Debate offering is a better fit for high school students across experience levels.

  • Email us at info@ascendspeech.org or schedule a call on our Calendly