Chicago Debates is a nonprofit organization that advances educational equity and civic engagement by bringing competitive academic debate to Chicago Public Schools. Through rigorous debate programming, we empower middle and high school students—especially those from under-resourced communities—to become critical thinkers, confident speakers, and engaged citizens. As the largest urban policy debate league in the nation, we partner with over 90 schools, supporting thousands of students annually with opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally. At Chicago Debates, we believe every student deserves a voice—and the chance to be heard.
OUR MISSION:
Our mission is to advance the educational achievement, community contributions, and life success of Chicago's youth through the transformative power of academic debate.
