Academic Decathlon (AcaDeca Team):
Students prepare during September-January to compete in February by
immersing themselves in the national topic (which changes each year). This
year's focus is "The French Revolution" and "chemistry in the 1700-1800's."
Team members also attend special workshops at Delta College and CSUS and are
mentored by SF teachers and others who are experts in the area of study for
the year. Freshmen through seniors are important members of the team. The
AcaDeca Team must consist of an equal number of students who have grade
point averages below 3.0, 3.1 to 3.7, and above 3.7; students are encouraged
to become a valued number of the team regardless of grade point average. The
team meets two days a week after school. AcaDeca is a two-credit course and
students also earn 3 units of college credit from CSUS.
Contact Brian Briggs

Certamen Team:
Students on the team practice for and compete in competitions at events sponsored by the California and National Junior Classical League: the Ludi Novembres in the Fall, the Certamen Regional and State Convention in the Spring and the National Convention in the Summer. They compete in a range of competitions relating to Latin and Greco-Roman history and society. These include academic tests, classical oration, art, athletics, and the premier event, the Certamen, a team trivia contest. Enrollment in Latin is desired, but not necessary to be on the Certamen team. The team will meet once a week after school to prepare for competitions.
Contact Brian Briggs

Debate:
Debate team members have had some experience with debate techniques either in a debate class or other training. Current world and national issues are the topics. Team members research topics on the internet and by reading news magazines, the Economist or other pertinent journals. They participate in three or four Saturday tournaments (Public Forum and Congress) during the first semester and one regular and two qualifying tournaments in second semester with the possibility of entering state and national tournaments. They may be joined by students from the debate class during the second semester. The debate team meets one day a week after school or more frequently before a tournament.
Contact Annie Hallsten 

Mock Trial-Youth Court Team:
This team prepares from September through January for a regional competition, held at the Sacramento County Courthouse. In the competition, students prepare as both defense and prosecution in a criminal trial pre-selected by the state governing body. Students prepare one or two days a week after school, with additional commitment necessary near competition time. They also serve as attorneys and jurors in real-life juvenile court sentencing trials two or three times during the year.  Coaches are attorneys. The team meets once or twice a week after school from September through February.
Contact Rob Gold

Moot Court Team:
In the Moot Court competition students argue a case at the appellate level. Each team must present its side of the case on appeal to a panel of three judges. Teams are scored according to organization and development of arguments, quality of the substantive arguments, persuasiveness of the presentation and responses to questions from the bench. Students immerse themselves in constitutional law under the guidance of attorneys. This team is open to all students. Meetings are one morning and/or one afternoon a week September through February-March.
Contact Ken Reynolds or Kim Hunter

Model United Nations (MUN) Team:
Students attend the MUN conference at UC Berkeley in March with a possibility of an additional out-of-town conference during the year. Preparation consists of representing a nation in the General Assembly and in various committees. Students prepare position papers for their nation and propose, defend or oppose propositions. Meetings are once a week after school, with outside research required.
Contact Brian Dodson

Robotics Team:
This team, one of a very few all-female teams in the nation, is part of a national organization called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Students have hands-on experience with web site design, programming, animation, organization, fund-raising, public relations and tools and electronics. Industry experts and parents mentor but students do the work.  Meetings are once a week in the fall and late spring in addition to a more intense schedule during the “build season” in January and February. The team attends 2 competitions in San Jose area and Davis, with the nationals in Atlanta as a possibility. Students can earn 3 units of college credit in Introduction to Engineering and 3 in Robotics from CSUS.
Visit us at our team website, www.sfrobotics.com.
Email us: robotics@stfrancishs.org.

Speech Team:
Students work independently with a speech coach to prepare for monthly tournaments. There are twelve events from which to choose. Several are dramatic interpretations; others are original works prepared by students in either prose or poetry. Students may also select national or international topics to discuss in the extemporaneous events—perfect for students whose homes have newspapers and news magazines and like PBS or CNN. Meeting times will be during the student’s lunch or free block, and after school once or twice a week. Students compete September through March and may qualify for state and/or national competitions. Auditions are required and team size is limited.
Contact Judy Myers

Toastmasters Leadership:
This group functions on the club level but is similar to a team in that a commitment is made by the student to prepare for and present several speeches during the eight meetings that are scheduled. Toastmasters Leadership provides the training and experience in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where students can work on various public speaking skills that will be helpful in class presentations, as officers in our many clubs and student body offices, and in future leadership positions. The club is moderated by a parent. The student may earn one credit.
Contact Joe Karkoski

Students are encouraged to submit an application to join a SFHS Academic Team.

Dual participation on some teams may be possible such as in Debate or Speech with one of the following: MUN, Mock Trial or Moot Court depending upon practice days.  Students who play a sport or are involved in music and drama productions should check with the Director of Special Projects regarding conflicts.

An academic team functions much like an athletic team in student commitment and competitions with other schools and travel, offering the greatest benefits in skills, fun, and preparation for college to those students who commit from freshman year through senior year.

1. Submit your application to Kay Gaines, Director of Special Projects.
2. You must meet the team participation requirements as indicated on the application.
3. Address questions to Kay Gaines, 916-452-3461 ext. 114.

Parents of team members are reminded that they must have fingerprint clearance, driver forms, and diocesan code of conduct if working directly with students. Contact the Dean of Students or the front office for forms and information.

1. May I join more than one team?
   Membership on more than one team must be approved by the coaches.
2. I have never belonged to an academic team. Will I be welcomed?
   Definitely! Teams depend upon an influx of new members each year.
3. If I am a freshman, should I wait a year before making a commitment?
   The earlier you join, the more skillful you will become over your four years. If you wanted to play on a sport team, you would try-out as a freshman, not wait for a year or two. Think of academic teams in the same way.
4. Would participating on an academic team help me get into college?
   Colleges value students with specific skills such as public speaking, proven leadership, and commitment.
5. How is my team membership recorded?
   Coaches submit a progress grade each quarter of the year, with the culminating grade and one credit recorded on your transcript at the end of the year.
6. If I join a team, can I drop out if I find that I don't have the time or interest to commit?
   Keep in mind that these are teams, not clubs. Your commitment after an initial settling-in period during first quarter is to your team members (just as on an athletic team). You may drop out before October 15 without penalty (except Speech team for which you must audition and commit in August). After this deadline, your commitment is firm and if you drop out, your grade will be negatively affected. These are full-year teams.
7. Do I have to have high grades to belong to an academic team?
   You must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA with no F's and no more than one D.
8. How often does a team meet?
   Teams normally meet after school, once or twice weekly. During competitions, teams will practice more frequently. For most teams, competitions are held in January or February.
9. Do I have to attend every practice from September through March?
   Attendance is a part of your grade. Coaches will offer you some flexibility.
10. How does membership on an academic team compare with membership on an athletic team?
    Both teams compete with teams from other high schools; both are dependent upon the firm commitment of team members; both provide coaching that enhances skills; both offer students opportunities to make new friends, enjoy competitions, and learn to cooperate as a productive member of a team.
11. How does membership on an academic team differ from membership on an athletic team?
    Most academic teams do not meet every day, until immediately prior to competition. The academic team season extends from late August through February or March.