Academic Competitions

Charles Debelak
By CHARLES DEBELAK
Head of School

Since the founding of Birchwood School, we have recognized the value of quality academic competitions. Quality, of course, is the operative word. It means the competition affords children academic and character benefits, and it is not an event that focuses only on winning or losing.  

We label a competition “quality” based on two factors. First, the competition must be true to the essential structure and the habits of mind embedded in a subject. For example, a history competition cannot merely be about memorizing large bodies of information. Instead it should give children the opportunity to mirror the work of a professional historian. It trains children to understand history, analyze history, and apply history. Similarly, a quality mathematics competition assumes that children are fluent in their basic computation skills and then introduces them to problems which call out their problem-solving skills and creativity. 

Quality academic competitions are also immersive. Students gain experiences which are deep, broad, and authentic. They are steeped in subject knowledge while having opportunities for real world engagement in the discipline. The preparation for quality competitions is often several months long and the framework of the competition provides guidance, instruction, and a wealth of materials, so that each student receives a rich academic experience whether or not they win. Actually, just by participating in these quality competitions, students win! 

We find that quality academic competitions accomplish four objectives.  

First, because they immerse students in the habits of mind and the essential structure of each discipline, children discover in part what it is to be a historian, a mathematician, a writer, or a problem solver. Not only do they accumulate knowledge, but they learn how to use this knowledge in meaningful ways. 

Second, these competitions create a learning experience that introduces students to high standards of achievement and effort. Our students compete against the most capable students in Northeast Ohio, in the state of Ohio, in the Midwest, and sometimes even nationally. 

Consequently, our students come to know the levels of achievement and the levels of effort that are required for superior work. This understanding not only helps them to develop respect for the abilities and effort of others, but it also inspires them toward excellence.

Third, quality competitions help teachers and parents guide students through the experience of success and failure. In success, children have an opportunity to learn humility and magnanimity. In failure, they learn how to reflect and learn from their defeat. Competition becomes a means to grow. 

Finally, quality academic competitions are able to introduce students to the real, meritocratic world – but softly.  At Birchwood we are well aware of the dangers of competition, but we are equally aware of the inevitability of competition in life. We have chosen to create “soft competition” where children compete in meaningful competitions yet under the watchful and caring eye of teachers and parents who help them learn from their experiences. When children win, these adults show them how to be a “good winner” and win with grace. At the same time, when children do not win (which happens most of the time), these same adults teach children how to accept defeat gracefully and be resilient.  

Quality academic competitions provide invaluable lessons for all students.

Charles Debelak is Head of School at Birchwood School of Hawken. He and his wife, Helene, founded Birchwood in 1984. Mr. Debelak’s writing provides parents with information about sound educational principles and child development issues gleaned from history, contemporary research, and his 50+ years of educating, coaching, and counseling children, young adults, and parents. This article appeared in the January/February 2024 edition of the school's monthly newsletter, "The Clipboard." 
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