To advance the values he championed, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation works to provide high-quality speech and debate experiences for middle and high school students nationwide. America remains starved of rigorous and respectful debate. Teaching the next generation to engage in constructive disagreement and practical, real-world persuasion is the essential remedy for many issues plaguing our country’s education and political systems.
That’s why Coolidge debates call students to informed citizenship, freedom of thought, and civil dialogue. We advocate for a traditional, logical, and evidence-based methodology. As students prepare to debate our carefully chosen topics, they learn civics, economics, public policy, critical thinking, and persuasive reasoning.
Many existing debate leagues fall short of these standards. Speeches are delivered at extreme speeds, arguments veer into technical minutiae, or students abandon the assigned topic entirely. Often, their specialized judges narrow the range of acceptable viewpoints.
Instead, we are building a new institution for academic debate. We emphasize mastery of content, logical argumentation, and genuine consideration of competing viewpoints. Rounds are judged by “citizen judges,” not debate insiders. For every tournament, the Foundation prepares detailed research briefs and brings in expert speakers. Students debate issues Americans are actually discussing, including inflation, taxes, the national debt, healthcare, student loan forgiveness, and immigration. Join us in our effort to bring rigorous and respectful debate to America’s next generation of leaders.
The Coolidge Connection
As a high school student at Black River Academy and a college student at Amherst College, Calvin Coolidge studied rhetoric and participated in debate—and excelled in both. He later said that the experience helped prepare him for his career in law and politics, and it instilled in him the importance of civil discourse, public policy, and service.
“Since the dawn of civilization, the triumphs of the tongue have rivaled, if not surpassed, those of the sword.”
— Calvin Coolidge
National Tournament Series
The Coolidge National Tournament Series invites high school students from across the country to engage in rigorous, civil, and evidence-based debate. The series consists of a growing number of regional “Open” tournaments held across the United States throughout the school year. These events are not just standalone competitions; they serve as the primary qualifying pathway for the Coolidge Cup which takes place each July in scenic Plymouth, Vermont.
Premier Tournaments
Our most prestigious tournaments each year are the Presidents’ Cup and the Coolidge Cup. Together, they offer more than $40,000 in scholarship prizes.
The Presidents’ Cup
Washington, D.C. • November 14-15, 2025
Held at Coolidge House and Georgetown University, this tournament utilizes our 2v2 “doubles” format and is open to all high school students who wish to register.
$20,000+ in scholarship prizes
The Coolidge Cup
Plymouth Notch, VT • July 2-4, 2026
The culmination of our year in President Coolidge’s historic hometown, this tournament requires qualification via our national tournament series.
$20,000+ in scholarship prizes
Local Coolidge Leagues
The Coolidge Foundation seeks to build regional debate leagues. One proof-of-concept is the Coolidge Debate League at the Luddy Schools, located primarily in North Carolina. If you would like to bring Coolidge debate to your region, please reach out to us. We are eager to share our tournament resources with schools and leagues that are looking to hold Coolidge debates. For inquiries, contact Jonathan Peele.
Honor and Service
1890 Society
For outstanding debate alumni
This honor society recognizes Coolidge Debate alumni who demonstrate exceptional achievement and sustained involvement. Members assist with tournament operations and receive invitations to participate in valuable Coolidge alumni programs.
Learned Hand Society
For dedicated volunteer judges
This honor society recognizes citizen volunteer judges who complete expanded training and honors those who take on a recurring leadership role.
