High School Policy Debate

2025-2026 Policy Debate Resolution!

Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.

Debate Formats

* High School Policy Debate is a format where two teams of two students compete head-to-head with an affirmative team advocating for a policy that falls under the topic and a negative team arguing against said policy.

* Its great for teaching students logical thinking skills, policymaking processes, and advanced research practices.

* Novice Division: Is for new students joining debate. For the first couple of tournaments, it uses a limited "packet" of evidence that can be read in debates. The goal of the packet is to allow students to have an easier time learning the fundamentals of debate. It is important to only keep your students if they genuinely need to be there!

* Open Division: Is for students that are typically in their second year of debate or beyond. It doesn't have a limited evidence set and is where debaters are able to learn most of the more advanced skills that debate has to offer!

* For most weekday tournaments we use a shortened time schedule.

1st Affirmative Constructive - 5 Minutes

2N Cross Examines the 1AC - 2 Minutes

1st Negative Constructive - 5 Minutes

1A Cross Examine the 1NC - 2 Minutes

2nd Affirmative Constructive - 5 Minutes

1N Cross Examines the 2AC - 2 Minutes

2nd Negative Constructive - 5 Minutes

2A Cross Examines the 2NC - 2 Minutes

*1st NEGATIVE Rebuttal - 3 Minutes

*1st AFFIRMATIVE Rebuttal - 3 Minutes

2nd Negative Rebuttal - 3 Minutes