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A motivated competitive team guiding HS students to the highest levels of debate competition. NDC is where semi-private coaching meets unparalleled team culture and resources.
Early Bird Deadline
April 1st, 2025
Registration Deadline
July 30th, 2025
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Tuition Due
July 30th, 2025
Classes Begin
August 15th, 2025
Our weekly 90-minute classes are the core of the NDC program. Taught by the same teacher all season*, the sessions focus on the everchanging topic landscape and foundational skills such as efficiency and round vision. To maximize individualized teaching, each group is kept to only four students.
In addition to weekly classes, students will engage in practice and small seminar-style learning sessions focusing on collapsing, weighing, and more! The supplemental programming includes practice rounds, drills specific to each skill, and lectures by our expert coaches.
Yes, that's right. Unlike other debate clubs, we provide our tournament services for the National Debate Club at cost, meaning we will not profit off of taking students to competitions. Online tournaments generally range from $125-$200, including all fees and judging. In-person tournaments cost $750-$1500, covering all expenses.
NDC's unique ethos emphasizes personalized attention as critical. We offer semi-private instruction focused on individual growth, avoiding cookie-cutter slide shows. Our best-in-industry (4:1) student-to-teacher ratio is just the beginning, ensuring each student's development is tailored and specific.
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Competing at tournaments is essential to being a top debater. At CDA, we handle all the travel logistics. In fact, we offer all of these services at cost, meaning we do not make money from tournaments, keeping competition as affordable as possible.
Prestigious Tournaments
We offer a robust schedule of both in-person and online TOC bid tournaments. Our teams consistently attend Harvard, Grapevine, Stanford, and dozens more.
Full Logistic Service
We understand that parents have lives of their own and cannot take their kids to tournaments every weekend or don’t have the time to coordinate schedules with partners and look up flights and hotels. At CDA, we handle everything from judge registration to hotels and flights. With our exclusive corporate partnerships, we ensure the lowest travel prices available.
Tournament Logistics
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In addition to classes, prep, and practice rounds. The NDC Elite Staff holds multiple lectures a month focused on complex topics like the settler colonialism K or how to break the “clash” of a certain topic.
Taught by Experts
With such a talented coaching staff, our lectures are given by experts in the subject, ensuring a nuanced understanding by students and an engaging lecture.
Engaging Presentations
Our seminars are not simply words on a slide show, we make it a point of emphasis to engage students through questions and drills throughout the session. It's an active learning experience.
Seminars
Every top-debater has been a top researcher. At the National Debate Club we focus on teaching efficient research strategies while also providing necessary prep support throughout the topics.
100s of Pages of Coach Made Prep
For every topic, our coaches produce a ready-to-read block file and progressive argumentation file totaling over 150 pages.
24-Hour Card Request
One of the most difficult and time-consuming parts of debate is finding evidence. Our 24-hour card request helps students focus on argumentation while still receiving the evidence necessary for their success.
Prep Support
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Outside of class time, students are offered numerous opportunities to practice their skills in a simulated environment. This allows for real-time feedback, and experimentation, building confidence before real rounds.
Challenging Competition
Our competitive debaters are some of the best in the country. Every practice round is paired based on skill level, ensuring a challenging but rewarding experience.
Flexible Scheduling
We understand our students are busy, all of our practice rounds are scheduled to fit into their schedules.
Practice Rounds
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Our weekly 90-minute classes are designed to provide students with a structured learning environment. Each session focuses on different aspects of the curriculum, ensuring comprehensive coverage and consistent growth.
Consistent Practice
A consistent 90-minute weekly class allows students to build repetition and snowball their learning from one session to the next, maximizing improvement and success.
Team Camaraderie
Every class is taught by the same coach and attended by the same students, building a sense of community within each cohort as well as an accountability partner.
Weekly Classes
Civic Debate Academy makes high-quality debate coaching affordable for all. With flexible pricing, financial aid, and scholarships, no student is held back by cost. We're here to ensure everyone can excel in debate, without breaking the bank. If you want to join the program, cost won't be the reason you don't.
Full Tuition
$4,295
Comprehensive Prep Package
Included
$800
Weekly Mocks and Drill Sessions
Included
$2600
Average Financial Aid Award
- $1,100
Early Bird Discount (April 1st, 2025)
- $300
$2895 One-Time Payment
($322 Monthly)
Financial aid is awarded on a case-by-case basis. Click here to apply for financial aid.
NDC faculty are not just award-winning debaters, they are some of the most effective teachers. Each staff member goes through dozens of hours of training and is dedicated to the success of every student.
250
Bids
600
Students Coached
98
Staff Satisfaction
3000
Rounds
40
Championships
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Lead Coach
University of Chicago
16
Bids
170
Rounds
70.8
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
Gold TOC Semifinalist
9
Bids
108
Rounds
93.8
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
2023-24 Most Gold Bids
24
Bids
270
Rounds
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
2nd at NSDA Nationals
23
Bids
252
Rounds
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
TBD
27
Bids
298
Rounds
96.3
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Lead Travel Team Coach
Georgetown University
5
Bids
134
Rounds
73
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Lead Coach
George Washington University
23
Bids
278
Rounds
98
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Lead Coach
Macalester College
16
Bids
175
Rounds
70.8
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
Cornell University
7
Bids
163
Rounds
69.3
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Lead Coach
Vanderbilt University
11
Bids
240
Rounds
65.6
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
University of Washington
5
Bids
156
Rounds
77.3
Win %
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INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
UT Austin
10
Bids
254
Rounds
70.6
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
Stanford University
10
Bids
148
Rounds
74
Win %
INSTRUCTOR
ELITE INSTRUCTOR
Travel Team Coach
Boise State
Bids
Rounds
Win %
Adonay Mahatsente-Tewelde
CDA has smoothed out my transition between local competition and debate at the national level with generous considerations regarding my family’s financial situation. From the weekly lectures to the tight-knit labs, the tailored education at CDA has helped me hone my technical debate skills and become a better speaker.
Riki Balu
CDA has helped me grow a lot as a debater. The coaches and the class schedule are great for enhancing prep and in-round strategy as a debater. I would recommend this club if you want to join a good environment and become a better debater.
Nathan Lee
CDA has given me the resources and community I never had as a small school competitor. Every practice and drill is tailored to my needs and reflective of where I need to improve. Further, the close-knit support system of students and coaches has made me feel included in the community and helped me improve greatly.
Can beginners join the National Debate Club?
While NDC is designed for advanced debaters, CDA offers programs for all skill levels. Students can start with foundational classes and work their way up to joining the elite travel team.
What kind of tournaments does the National Debate Club attend?
NDC competes in top-tier national circuit tournaments (like Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia), offering students the opportunity to secure TOC bids and showcase their skills against the best in the country. Many student also choose to complete with their schools on their respective local circuits!
How do I join the National Debate Club?
Students interested in joining NDC can apply through the CDA website. Admission is based on a consultation and evaluation of debate experience and potential. No matter your skill level, we'll have a program for you.
What is the National Debate Club (NDC)?
The National Debate Club (NDC) is CDA's elite travel team, designed to elevate students to the highest levels of competitive debate with semi-private coaching and a strong team culture.
Debate feels overwhelming? Hard to make a choice? Meet with a current student on our team to learn more.
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