How to enroll
Through the school. A coach registers the school with NSDA and enters students in tournaments.
- Ask your school's speech/debate coach whether it is an NSDA member (annual school membership is $349)
- Compete during the season; students need at least the Merit degree to be district eligible
- Your coach enters you in the Texas district tournament that covers your school
No team at your school? NSDA has a guide for starting one.
Start a team ↗In plain words
The National Speech & Debate Association runs the honor society and national tournament for school speech and debate teams. High schoolers qualify for Nationals through their NSDA district tournament, usually held in February or March. Middle schoolers compete in the Middle School National Tournament the same week, and any member school can register them. Students join through their school's team, not on their own.
Kids who like to argue a point, perform, or think on their feet
Your school has no team and no coach. NSDA membership is by school.
What it takes
Step by step
- 1Ask whether your school has a speech and debate team and an NSDA membership
- 2Join the team and compete in local tournaments to earn NSDA points
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Where it leads
- Local and invitational tournamentsFall–spring
Students earn NSDA points and degrees
- NSDA district tournamentFeb–Mar 2027
Set by each district. Top finishers qualify for Nationals.
- National TournamentJun 13–18, Phoenix
Middle School National Tournament runs the same week
Key dates
- 232 DAYSNational Tournament, Phoenix, AZSun, June 13, 2027
Free prep
Add these dates to my calendar
Dates update on their own when an organizer changes them. Nothing about your child is stored.