Spelling · grades 6–8
Spelling bees, side by side
Four bees your middle schooler can enter. Two go through the school, two you can sign up for yourself.Three bees your middle schooler can enter. One goes through the school, two you can sign up for yourself.
Next date · Scripps$199 school enrollment rate ends · Nov 30
First question: does your school enroll?
Through the school
Scripps and UIL A+ Spelling. Ask the principal or a language arts teacher. Kids can’t sign up on their own.
You sign up
NorthSouth Foundation and the South Asian Spelling Bee. A parent registers online; no school needed.
The bees
Scripps National Spelling BeeYour school enrolls
GradesThrough 8th grade (see the Bee’s rules)
Cost$199 per school, paid by the school
WhenSchool bee fall–winter · regional Feb–Mar · finals in May
PathClassroom → school → regional → Washington, D.C.
WhereDFW: Dallas Sports Commission or Fort Worth Regional Bee · Minnesota: The Minnesota Service Cooperatives
UIL A+ SpellingYour school enters
GradesElementary and middle school
CostThrough your school
WhenDistrict meet in your district’s window (Oct–May)
PathOne of 21 A+ events · district meet is the final round
WhereTexas public schools
NorthSouth Foundation Spelling BeeParents sign up
GradesSenior bee: grades 4–8
Cost$40 regional · $60 finals if invited
WhenRegionals in spring · National Finals in summer
PathLocal chapter → National Finals
Where75+ US chapters
South Asian Spelling BeeParents sign up
GradesBy age: 14 or younger (2026 rule)
CostFee not posted for 2027
WhenOnline regionals in June (2026)
PathOnline regional → National Finals
WhereOnline, from home
2027 dates for NorthSouth and the South Asian Spelling Bee aren’t posted yet. We add them when the official pages do.
Getting ready
DictionaryScripps uses Merriam-Webster. Word lists come to the school once it enrolls.
High schoolersToo old to compete? NorthSouth takes high school volunteers for contest days and coaching. See how →
Doing more than oneThey don’t conflict: Scripps runs fall to May, NorthSouth in spring, the South Asian bee in summer.
Scripps enrollment · Scripps regional partners · UIL A+ Academics · NorthSouth contests · South Asian Spelling Bee FAQs
Checked Oct 2026 against each official page. Runup isn’t affiliated with any of these organizers.