1 program. August to May.

Students in grades 6 through 12 from middle to high school are welcome to join Break Debate. We operate similarly to a school debate team, fostering a collaborative and supportive community. Debaters of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to join, ensuring that everyone feels included and has the opportunity to grow and improve in a welcoming environment.

Break Debate offers personalized tutoring, seminar classes based on the Socratic method, comprehensive topic preparation, and onsite help at tournaments. We focus on tailored learning plans, collaborative topic prep, and real-time coaching support, ensuring debaters are fully prepared for every tournament.

Students can sign up for tutoring sessions through our Break Learning app. Coaches will guide students using personalized curriculum depending on student needs, focusing on core skills like argument generation, strategy development, time allocation, and speech efficiency. Additionally, our seminar classes take place twice a week and are split between content-focused lectures and application-based discussions, using the Harkness and Socratic methods to simulate real debate environments.

Our faculty is carefully selected based on exceptional debate performance, strong teaching backgrounds, and experience. They undergo rigorous training to stay updated with the latest debate strategies and curriculum, ensuring that students receive top-quality instruction.

No, Break Debate only requires a 2-hour weekly commitment for seminar classes. The rest is flexible, allowing students to decide how much additional time they wish to invest in debate. We streamline preparation by handling large portions of topic work and guidance, helping students work smarter, not harder, so they have more time for school. In fact, studies show that learning debate improves SAT scores and overall academic performance, thanks to the extensive reading, writing, and critical thinking skills developed.

Refunds are calculated by taking the yearly payment and subtracting the cost for each completed topic at our topic plan rate and our non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is refunded. Onsite refunds will be 50% of the amount paid for a tournament, but only if the student cannot attend the tournament without prior notice. Refunds for 1:1 sessions will be provided in full.

We calculate onsite coaching costs by splitting the total expenses of sending a coach in person among all the students attending the tournament. Parents are asked to contribute, and we aim to maintain a 1:4 coach-to-student ratio. Onsite coaching has consistently yielded over a 30% increase in success at tournaments compared to students who don't receive in-person help.

Yes, all students must sign a conduct agreement. This agreement ensures a respectful and safe environment, covering rules about respect, professionalism, communication integrity, attendance, disclosure practices, and proper use of preparation materials. Violating the agreement may result in penalties, including suspension or expulsion from Break Debate with no refund.

Yes. Break Debate offers need-based financial aid indexed to the federal poverty guidelines published annually by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Families at or below 200% of FPL pay $1,200 for the season; the schedule steps down through 50%, 30%, and 15% reductions as income rises, and families above 500% of FPL pay full tuition. Discounts apply to the $4,000 Season Plan only; additional drill hours stay at $60 per hour for every family. The calculator at breakdebate.com/financial-aid shows your expected price before applying. Applications go to accounting@breakdebate.com with your most recent Form 1040 (Schedule C if self-employed) and a short written statement. Recent hardship (job loss, serious medical events, the death of a primary earner) can be submitted alongside the tax return for placement in a more favorable tier.