Every great journey begins with a first step, and the visionaries who built the League recognized that the first steps toward educational excellence must begin early. Academic competition for younger students was a part of the UIL program almost from the beginning, with the first junior division Declamation contest for students aged 10-14 in 1913. The first competition for students under age 10 was Spelling, which began a sub-junior division in 1921.
The program of academic competition for elementary, middle school and junior high officially became "A+ Academics" in 2008. A+ Academics includes 20 different events for grades 2-8. These events span the curriculum - they are designed to complement and expand upon what students learn in the classroom, both through learning specific subject knowledge, and through learning skills that are valuable in many disciplines. Approximately 3,000 Texas schools participate in A+ Academics, competing in more than 300 district meets each year.
Updates and Frequently Requested Information
- A+ Frequently Asked Questions
- A+ Spelling List for 2018-2019 is posted
- Social Studies outlines for 2018-2019 are posted
- Music Memory Official List for 2018-2019 is posted
- Art Official List for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019
- Modern Oratory Topics for 2018-2019 are posted
- Music Memory Pilot Information
- A+ One-Act Play for Junior High - Handbook and Information
- Visit the A+ Chess Puzzle page for study and practice resources.
A+ Resources to Share
Click HERE to email any contest or practice A+ material that you would like to share with A+ UIL coaches and coordinators. Shared materials are available here.
A+ Academics News & Updates
Shipping Information for District Materials
Printed Materials:
- District meets scheduled for December 1-4 are being shipped to arrive by Thursday, November 15
- District meets scheduled for December 5-11 are being shipped to arrive by Wednesday, November 28
- District meets scheduled for December 12-20 are being shipped to arrive by Wednesday, December 5
- District meets scheduled for January 2-19 are being shipped to arrive by Wednesday, December 12
- District meets scheduled for January 22-30 are being shipped to arrive by Friday, January 11
Digital Materials:
- District meets scheduled in December are being emailed Wednesday, November 13
- District meets scheduled in January are being emailed Wednesday, December 5
A+ Spring District Materials’ Status
Print Materials-
Meets scheduled for February 1- 10: Materials to arrive by January 26
Meets scheduled for February 12- 17: Materials to arrive by February 6
Meets scheduled for February 20- 26: Materials to arrive by February 9
CD Materials-
Meets scheduled in February: Your materials have shipped as of January 19 and will arrive the week of January 22.
A+ District Materials’ Status
Print Materials- If your meet is scheduled for December 1-4, your materials are scheduled to ship so that you receive them by November 16. Directly after Thanksgiving break, our office will continue to ship materials in order of meet date.
CD Materials- If your meet is scheduled for December, your CD is scheduled to ship next week so that you receive it by November 16. If your meet is scheduled for January, your materials are scheduled to ship in early December.
A+ Invitational Materials
If you purchased UIL A+ invitational materials, those will begin to be sent on Friday, October 20th in order of meet date.
A+ Handbook Update
If you received your A+ Handbook on or before September 8, please substitute page 22 for this one. The sidebar has been corrected about the prints and Art Smart bulletin.
A+ campus Registration
2018-2019
Each A+ participating school must register with the UIL state office each year. A+ Handbooks will be emailed to registered schools beginning in August.
Constitution & Contest Rules
UIL A+ Handbook for District level coordinator
Are you a district level UIL A+ coordinator who needs an A+ handbook? Email our office to request your copy. In your email, include the name of the A+ schools and ISD(s) you oversee.