Goddard

Students at GMS can participate in academic competitions throughout the school year to expand their knowledge and challenge themselves. While some of these competitions are Pioneer League competitions, others involve competing with students state-wide or nation-wide. Students should listen to the announcements regarding academic competitions as dates/activities may vary each year.

Below are two academic competitions held annually at GMS:

National Geographic Bee

Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.

Goddard Middle School participates in the activity annually through social studies classes. One winner is declared from the school-level contest, and that student completes the written qualifying test. In early March the school is notified by mail if the school Bee winner qualified to represent his or her school at the state level. The top 100 students (selected based on qualifying test scores) qualify to represent their schools and compete at the state level. State winners are invited to National Geographic headquarters in late May to compete in the national finals for scholarships in the amount of $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.

Pioneer League Spelling Bee

The Pioneer League sponsors an annual Spelling Bee in mid January. To qualify for the league competition, students must participate in the GMS Spelling Bee in December. Any student can sign up to compete in the building-level spelling bee. The top five students at each grade level will advance to the league competition. The winner of the Pioneer League Spelling Bee has the option of advancing to divisional and state competition.