What Is DECA? Competition Guide for High School Business Students in 2026
Every year, hundreds of thousands of high school students compete in DECA competitions that test their business acumen, leadership capabilities, and real-world problem-solving skills. Yet despite DECA’s significant impact on students’ college readiness and career preparation, many parents, educators, and even students themselves don’t fully understand what DECA is, how competitions work, or why these achievements deserve recognition alongside traditional academic and athletic accomplishments.
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Peer Leadership Spotlights: Building Thriving Freshmen Mentorship Programs in 2026
Peer leadership programs represent some of the most impactful initiatives schools can implement to support freshmen during their critical transition into high school. When schools systematically connect trained senior mentors with incoming ninth-graders—meeting regularly throughout the school year to provide guidance, build relationships, and create belonging—they dramatically increase freshmen success rates while developing exceptional leadership skills in upperclassmen.
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