Skip to main content
University of Texas at Austin
University Interscholastic League Logo
University Interscholastic League Logo


Every great journey begins with a first step, and the visionaries who built the League recognized that the first steps toward educational excellence must begin early. Academic competition for younger students was a part of the UIL program almost from the beginning, with the first junior division Declamation contest for students aged 10-14 in 1913. The first competition for students under age 10 was Spelling, which began a sub-junior division in 1921.

The program of academic competition for elementary, middle school and junior high officially became "A+ Academics" in 2008. A+ Academics includes 20 different events for grades 2-8. These events span the curriculum - they are designed to complement and expand upon what students learn in the classroom, both through learning specific subject knowledge, and through learning skills that are valuable in many disciplines. Approximately 3,000 Texas schools participate in A+ Academics, competing in more than 300 district meets each year.

 

Updates and Frequently Requested Information

 

A+ Resources to Share

Click HERE to email any contest or practice A+ material that you would like to share with A+ UIL coaches and coordinators. Shared materials are available here.

A+ Academics News & Updates

August 16, 2023
UIL A+ Art Bulletin will be available soon on the UIL store.

We are working to prepare the Art Smart Bulletin, which will be available as a digital download on the UIL store very soon!

February 13, 2023
Congratulations to Chisum Middle School A+ Students

Congratulations to Chisum Middle School A+ students in their UIL academic competitive accomplishments!

October 12, 2022
A+ Spelling Answer Sheets

Below are the A+ Spelling answer sheets that include a second page for each. If you received an A+ Handbook before October 12th, it is possible the handbook did not include the second page. 

Grades 3/4
Grades 5/6
Grades 7/8

May 17, 2022
Congratulations to these UIL A+ Academic competitors who excelled in their contests!

February 18, 2022
Congratulations to our A+ Academic Chess Puzzle Contestants!

2022 A+ Chess Winners
Congratulations to UIL A+ Academic students who competed in a Chess Puzzle event on February 16!

A+ campus RegistratION
2023-2024

Each A+ participating school must register with the UIL state office each year. A+ Handbooks will be emailed to coordinators once their registration is processed.

REGISTER HERE

A+ DISTRICT MEET ORDER FORM
2023-2024

If you are hosting a district meet, submit this form to register your meet with our office and to request your meet materials. 

REQUEST MATERIALS HERE

A+ Academic Study Materials