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
- 2024-25 A+ Registration now available
- A+ Art Smart Bulletin is posted
- A+ Spelling Booklet for 2024-25 is posted
- A+ Music Memory List for 2024-25 is posted
- A+ Art List for 2023-24 and 2024-25 is posted
- UIL A+ Academics and TEKS Correlations
- A+ Frequently Asked Questions
- A+ One-Act Play for Junior High - Handbook and Information
- Visit the A+ Chess Puzzle page for study and practice resources.
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
A+ Middle School Theatrical Design Pilot
The Legislative Council has authorized the UIL to conduct a Theatrical Design pilot for the 2024-25 school year. Information about this exciting event is found here!
Congratulations to B.L. Gray Junior High School UIL Students in Sharyland ISD!
Congratulations to these students, academic coaches, and administration for their great accomplishment at their district competition!
A+ District Meet Materials
Print Materials: If you are receiving print materials and are hosting in the first few days of December, your materials are being shipped to arrive before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Digital Materias: If you are receiving digital files and are hosting in December, you will receive those files on Monday morning.
Congratulations to Chisum Middle School A+ Students
Congratulations to Chisum Middle School A+ students in their UIL academic competitive accomplishments!
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.
A+ campus RegistratION
2024-2025
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.
A+ DISTRICT MEET ORDER FORM
2024-2025
If you are hosting a district meet, submit this form to register your meet with our office and to request your meet materials.