https://necc.edu/workforce/gallaudet/academic-bowl/ Jan 19 2026 22:34:47

Academic Bowl

The stage at the 2016 Northeast Regional Academic Bowl Championships. A moderator is addressing the two competing teams at table in front of the stage. The students on the teams appear to be answering one of the questions. An audience watches.

The Academic Bowl is a series of quiz-style tournaments, in which teams of students compete against each other in regional and national events. Each tournament is a question and answer game of general knowledge and quick recall. Questions are drawn from the following categories: Social Studies; Language and Literature; Science and Technology; Mathematics; The Arts and Entertainment; Current Events; Potpourri; and Pop Culture, Leisure, and Sports.

History

Gallaudet University established its first Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing High School students in 1997 with the goal of fostering the pursuit of academic excellence, promoting a spirit of academic competition and sportsmanship, and providing social opportunities for the development of collegiality and lifelong friendships among deaf and hard of hearing high school students across the country.

Who Competes

The competition is open to students grades 9-12, currently enrolled in recognized schools or programs for deaf and hard of hearing students. Schools or programs may be residential schools, day schools, mainstream programs, or any other type of educational program. There are four players to a team. 80 teams participate in the Academic Bowl, with 20 teams in each of the four regions (South, West, Midwest, and East.)

Family and Visitors

Families and visitors are more than welcome to attend the Academic Bowl. The competition schedule will be posted on the website. There is no charge to attend.

East Regional Academic Bowl Competitions

There are four regional Academic Bowl competitions across the United States: up to 20 teams compete in each regional competition, with four pools of five teams each.

Gallaudet University Regional Center East, host school staff, and Bobbie Cordano, stand on a stage, interacting, and preparing to present the 2016 Northeast Regional Academic Bowl awards. There are balloons in Gallaudet colors, banners and a power point being projected onto two big screen

Every spring, the Youth Programs at Gallaudet University coordinate regional and national Academic Bowl competitions. The first-, second-, third-, and fourth-place teams from each of the four regional championships advance to the national competition, held at Gallaudet University in the spring. In addition, four wild card teams are selected to fill the remaining spots in the four pools at the national competition.

Regional Academic Bowl News

Get the latest Regional Academic Bowl news and updates.

Regional Academic Bowl 2026 Dates

* West Regional: February 5–8, 2026
* South Regional: February 13–16, 2026
* East Regional: February 19–22, 2026
* Midwest Regional: February 26–March 1, 2026

National Academic Bowl Competitions

The Academic Bowl National Championships are held annually, at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing High School students, visit: https://www.gallaudet.edu/youth-programs/academic-bowl or e-mail us.

National Academic Bowl News

Check here for the latest National Academic Bowl news and updates.

National Academic Bowl 2026 Dates

Academic Bowl Nationals @ Gallaudet University: April 16–20, 2026

Follow Academic Bowl

Follow or tag your Academic Bowl photos and news on social media using @GUYouthPrograms and #GUAcademicBowl

Gallaudet University Regional Center East

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