Middle & high school students find their voice in our Speech & Debate Program.
Join our beginner friendly program designed to help students build powerful arguments, research with purpose, and communicate ideas with confidence. Enjoy coaching with small class sizes of 6-8 students and a flexible hybrid learning format.
Small Cohort
Beginners
12 Weeks
Hybrid
Students learn to think critically about complex questions, digging deeply into supporting evidence. They speak with confidence, boldly backing up their claims. Through practice, they debate with precision, delivering points that land compellingly every time.
At Cura Learning
12-week curriculum
A clear progression from first argument to practice round.
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Learn how to build logical, persuasive arguments using claims, warrants, and impacts.
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Develop skills to find reliable sources, annotate research papers, and extract key ideas.
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Explore concepts like morality, ethics, autonomy, and human dignity.
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Begin building affirmative and negative debate cases with basic structure.
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Strengthen argument structure and use evidence to support your case.
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Learn how to evaluate arguments based on impact, strength, and urgency.
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Use advanced methods like cost-benefit analysis, probability, and magnitude.
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Learn to counter opposing arguments and defend your own effectively.
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Practice asking strategic questions and giving sharp, focused answers.
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Learn to summarize key points and make a strong final impression.
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Compare two ethical theories and apply them in debates.
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Participate in a full practice round and receive constructive feedback.
Research-backed Curriculum
We used our own published research to create the curriculum.
Results based on our pilot class:
Formal research published at https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.12817
Quantitative & Qualitative Rhetorical Analysis (Aristotle's Rhetorical Principles)
The most notable difference between student and GPT-40 performance lies in logical reasoning (Logos), particularly in the construct of arguments:
• Cause-effect Reasoning: Constructing explanations based on cause-and-effect relationships to ensure a rational and coherent argument.
• Factual Knowledge: Relying on widely accepted facts or indisputable truths as the foundation of an answer.
Statistical Significance (Mann-Whitney U Test Results)
• Logos (Logical Reasoning): Differed significantly, z = 4.61, p < 0.001, n = 30.
• Pathos (Emotional Appeals): Revealed no significant difference, z = -0.33, p = 0.741, n = 30.
These findings demonstrate that while college students and GPT-40 perform similarly in Ethos (credibility) and Pathos (evoking emotion), students significantly outperform GPT-40 in the logical execution of selected arguments. While GPT-40 relies heavily on passive factual presentations (Factual Knowledge), human students excel at establishing active rational connections and causal linkages (Cause- effect Reasoning).
Competitive experience with RESULTS to match.
NSDA Nationals
🏆 3rd Place
🏆 8th Place
🏆 Top 38
🏆 6th Speaker — Middle School
State Champions & Finalists
🏅 Multiple Minnesota State Titles
🏅 Runner-Up finishes
🏅 Quarterfinalists
🏅 Semifinalists
Top National Tournaments
⭐ Glenbrooks: JV Quarter Finalist
⭐ Columbia: PF Champion (Close Out)
⭐ Apple Valley: JV Champion, PF Quarters
NSDA Districts
✓ Multiple Champions
✓ Multiple Closeouts
✓ 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishes
Other Notable Wins
🎯 Edina 4th Place
🎯 Birds of Prey JV Semifinals
Speech & Debate can become part of a student's academic, extracurricular, and professional story.
Who Should Enroll?
✓ Future researchers and writers who back up their ideas with evidence
✓ Students ready to build real confidence speaking in front of others
✓ Sharp thinkers who want an edge in critical thinking, across every subject
✓ Anyone who wants to listen closely and respond with substance, not just noise
✓ College-bound students looking to stand out with a skill admissions officers value
Example “Card” - A Piece of Debate Evidence
For students pursuing selective colleges, scholarships, leadership opportunities, or future coaching roles, debate can become a meaningful part of a broader academic profile. Our students got accepted into:
College Acceptances
