Online Course

Do you want to debate but don’t have a team at your school?

Are you on the team at your school but want more practice?
Are you a BDL Summer Camp regular and want more BDL in your life during the school year?

Sign up for our school-year course! Details below.

High School

9-12th
Graders

Training in one-on-one and group debates
Weekly online practice
- Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm
- October - February
Weekly online tournament
- Option 1: Thursdays, 3:45-5pm
- Option 2: Fridays, 6:30-9pm

Monthly in-person tournament
- Sat 10/11 at DREAM Charter (Mott Haven, Bronx)
- Sat 11/8 at Coney Island Prep (Gravesend, Brooklyn)
- Sat 12/13 at Berkeley Carroll (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
- January and February dates and locations TBD

$700

Apply here for financial aid

Scroll down to use our financial aid calculator to check your eligibility

Middle School

6-8th
Graders

WHAT

Training in one-on-one and group debates
Weekly online practice
- Fridays, 1:30-3:30pm
- September - February
Monthly online tournament
- one Friday a month during practice

Monthly in-person tournament
- Sat 10/11 at DREAM Charter (Mott Haven, Bronx)
- Sat 11/8 at Coney Island Prep (Gravesend, Brooklyn)
- Sat 12/13 at Berkeley Carroll (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
- January and February dates and locations TBD

$700

Apply here for financial aid

(Scroll down to use our financial aid calculator to check your eligibility)

Meet Our Coaches

Brendan Gorman (he/him)

Director of Online Programming
Brendan brings 17 years of experience teaching middle and high school students. He has coached middle and high school debate for 18 years and is a one diamond NSDA coach. A former Lincoln-Douglas debater, Brendan was one of the first coaches to send students to Brooklyn Debate League tournaments. With a deep belief in the transformative power of debate and organizations like the BDL, Brendan is committed to empowering students through critical thinking and advocacy.
Rachel Ruggeri (she/her)

Coach
Rachel competed in Congressional Debate for four years at Xaverian High School, where she distinguished herself as a 2x NYSFL Championships finalist and a 2024 NCFL Grand Nationals finalist. As captain of a team of more than 40 students, Rachel developed her leadership skills while mentoring new debaters and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. Rachel also has a long history with the Brooklyn Debate League, first as a competitor, and for the past three years as both a judge and coach. She has supported students in sharpening their public speaking, research, and critical thinking skills. Rachel is currently pursuing a degree in English Adolescent Education from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College.

Need financial aid to participate?

Hold off on registering in the meantime, because if you qualify for aid, we’ll give you a special discount code to apply at checkout. We’ll get back to you within a week.

Use our Financial Aid Calculator below to determine an estimate of your expected family contribution.

Please note that financial aid awards are based on need and availability, and we may not be able to accommodate all financial aid requests.

How much does it cost?

$700 pays for a weekly course of expert coaching, engaging debates, and skill-building fun! Investment in confidence, critical thinking, and the power of your voice.