Commissioner's Academic Challenge

The Commissioner's Academic Challenge is a statewide high school academic quiz competition organized by the Florida Department of Education. Each of Florida’s school districts selects a team of top students to represent it in a multi-day tournament typically held annually in the spring. Students compete in fast-paced, quiz bowl–style rounds that cover a broad range of subjects, including mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, the arts, and humanities. Participation is generally open to high school students (grades 9–12) enrolled in Florida public school districts, with selection happening at the district level through local academic team programs or qualifying competitions. The event gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their academic strengths, collaborate with peers, and represent their districts at the state level. Benefits include exposure to rigorous academic content, development of quick-recall and teamwork skills, and recognition from state education leaders. The competition is traditionally held in person, with teams, coaches, and officials gathering at a host site in Florida for several days of matches and related activities. While the format can vary slightly from year to year, the core focus remains on celebrating and challenging Florida’s most academically talented high school students.