Moorpark Again Wins Academic Decathlon

For a second consecutive year, Moorpark High School has won the Ventura County Academic Decathlon, officials announced Monday night.

The Moorpark team scored first in all categories, including the “Super Quiz” held over the weekend.

The team advances to the state competition March 22-24 in Modesto.

The country’s top teams will compete at the national finals in Phoenix in April.

Moorpark, which was the state and national champion in 1999, has traded the county title with Simi Valley High School for the last eight years.

The county’s second-place finisher this year was Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, followed by Oak Park High School in third and Simi Valley High in fourth.

During the competition, which began last month, Moorpark High’s team won first-place honors in 10 subject areas. Members had to be proficient in essays, math, interviews, language, literature and music.

A total of 200 students from 14 high schools competed in the Academic Decathlon, which county education leaders brought to this area 20 years ago, officials said. Students spend several months each year studying for the competition.

The winners were announced during an awards ceremony Monday night at Pacifica High School in Oxnard.