1. Regional Competitions: In many cases, there are regional competitions where teams of students showcase their knowledge and understanding of the Constitution. A State Coordinator organizes these competitions.
2. State Competitions: Winning or top-performing teams from regional competitions may advance to state-level competitions. The winning team from each state is then invited to advance to the National Finals. If the opportunity allows, a state’s second-place team may also be invited to attend the National Finals as a Wild Card entry. You can find state competition questions here.
3. National Finals: The National Finals are the ultimate stage of the competition, where the best teams from across the country compete.

Rostered Classes

• Composed of all students enrolled in a course where We the People is implemented at the school they represent.
• Rostered We the People classes should be designed to provide broad access to interested students whenever possible, consistent with the school’s academic policies and scheduling practices.

Club Teams

• Schools where the We the People program has not been part of a scheduled class may form a club team as a starting point in the creation of a rostered We the People class.
• Club teams must have completed the We the People curriculum under the supervision of an advisor or coach.
• Students in the club team must all attend the same school.
• Club teams based at schools without an established We the People program may participate in their state competition in accordance with state-level eligibility rules. If a club team wins its state competition, it may advance to the National Finals provided it meets all team eligibility requirements outlined below.
• State coordinators should foster the inclusion of club teams from schools where the We the People program is not yet established in a rostered class while supporting the transition to a class-based team, as possible, as the program develops.

Combined-School Teams

• At the request of the state coordinator, a state may send a team composed of two small teams from that state to ensure that state’s participation in the National Finals.
• The combined-team roster should follow the rostered class requirements for both teams.

Scholarship Teams

• The Center may offer scholarship-based participation opportunities to schools that meet specific high-needs criteria, with the goal of expanding access and supporting educational equity.
• The current scholarship program includes the John Lewis Class, a designation awarded to one team per year. State coordinators must submit teams for John Lewis Class consideration, following the Center’s nomination and review process.
• Scholarship teams are expected to meet all competition requirements and will participate fully in the National Finals alongside state and wild-card teams.
• The Center may expand scholarship opportunities at its discretion based on funding availability and program expansion priorities.

• Each participating team should include a minimum of nine (9) students, with the goal of distributing students evenly across six (6) unit panels, with a minimum of three (3) students per panel.
• In exceptional cases, the Center may grant a waiver to allow participation with fewer than nine (9) students. Waiver requests must be submitted in advance and are subject to Center approval.
• There is no formal maximum team size, but the Center generally recommends a team size of no more than 36 students to support equitable participation and manageable group sizes.
• Each team must respond to all six (6) unit questions. To do so, the team must be divided into six groups, with each group assigned to testify on one unit.
• Each unit group must include at least three (3) students, and unit group sizes should be as evenly distributed as possible.
• Students may testify on more than one unit only if the team includes fewer than 18 students. In such cases, no student may testify on more than two unit panels, unless the team has received a waiver from the Center for a reduced team size.

• Each state can establish its own criteria for regional and state-level competition participation.
• If a state’s winning team meets the National Finals participation requirements, that team can attend the National Finals as the state representative.

• The wild-card system is designed to promote inclusivity and diversity in the competition, providing more schools and students with the chance to participate.
• The We the People National Finals can currently accommodate up to 48 student teams. If space remains after confirming state winners, the Center may invite additional teams from states that have opted in to the wild-card pool.
• State coordinators must opt in each year by a specified date to be considered for a wild-card invitation.
• The number of wild-card spots available varies from year to year, and states are not guaranteed a wild-card invitation, even if they have opted in.
• Wild-card teams must come from a different school than the official state team.
• State coordinators are responsible for selecting the wild-card team based on its performance at the state-level competition and its potential to represent the state well at the National Finals.
• Club teams are eligible for wild-card participation.

• All students must be enrolled in a high school in grades 9–12 at the time of their participation in the National Finals.
• Students must reside in or attend school in the state they represent.
• Students who have participated in We the People simulated congressional hearings before high school (e.g., in middle or elementary school) may still participate in National Finals.
• Students may only compete in the National Finals once during their high school years, even if their class or club participates in the National Finals multiple times.
• Returning students may support teams in noncompetitive roles, such as student coaches or mentors.

• Each team participating in the National Finals must pay a participation fee of $7,500, regardless of team size. This fee covers all event-related materials, facility rentals, activities, awards, and other logistics for the competition itself, ensuring a high-quality and well-organized event. It also helps to support the We the People program and its mission to promote civic education and engagement.
• The participation fee covers all event-related materials, facility rentals, activities, awards, and other logistics for the competition itself, excluding travel.
• This fee does not include any expenses related to travel to Washington, D.C., which must be arranged and covered separately by each team. Therefore, teams should budget for both the participation fee and additional travel expenses when planning for the competition.

• All teams participating in the National Finals must travel with Grand Classroom, our contracted travel vendor for 2026.
• Grand Classroom will work directly with teachers to arrange hotel accommodations, travel to the D.C. area, bus transportation to the competition venue, and to other preferred tourism locations. 
• Grand Classroom will consistently support and assist all teams, promptly addressing any travel needs or concerns, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience for all participants.

• State-Level Hearing Questions
• National Level Hearing Questions
• Previous Years’ Questions