The Roaring Twenties is the theme of the 2026 Stanislaus County Academic Decathlon, which will be the 46th annual event. Stanislaus County high school students are pulling out all the stops as they head into the home stretch of preparations. The Academic Decathlon is hailed as the most significant academic event for local high schools and consists of a series of tests, speeches, and interviews. The Super Quiz and Awards Presentation will be held in person on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Johansen High School gymnasium, 641 Norseman Drive, Modesto.

The Oakdale High School academic team is looking to claim the county title for the fifth straight year. They were winners over second place Hughson in 2025, capturing not only the overall title – featuring a trio of freshmen on the competing team – but also were winners of the Super Quiz, the only part of the academic competition that is open to the public.

Co-sponsored by the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE), E. & J. Gallo Winery, and Mocse Credit Union, the decathlon promotes interschool academic competitions.

“The goal of the decathlon is to stimulate intellectual growth and scholastic success,” said Cheryl Goulart, SCOE Student Events Program Manager. “The competition is open to all students, not just the top achievers. Our objective is to recognize student achievement and to emphasize education’s positive dimensions.”

Participating schools send nine members to serve as the core team – up to three students in each of three categories, based on grade point averages. Schools may send as many alternate participants as they choose.

Twelve local high schools are participating in this year’s event, including Beyer, Central Catholic, Ceres, Davis, Downey, Enochs, Gregori, Hughson, Johansen, Modesto, Oakdale and Patterson. This year’s winner will represent Stanislaus County at the California Academic Decathlon State Finals, to be held in March.