National Finals: April 9-11, 2025

Prepare to be amazed as high school students from across the nation showcase their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and American government. Now in its fifth decade, the National Finals serves as an exciting finale to students' We the People educational journey. The competition utilizes Simulated Congressional Hearings and typically features 48 teams, each representing their respective states.

The 2025 Top-10 Teams

National Champions:
Lincoln High School, Oregon
Sprague High School, Oregon Wildcard
Second Place:
Denver East High School, Colorado
Fishers High School, Indiana Wildcard
Fifth Place:
Reno High School, Nevada

Sixth Place:
Douglas S. Freeman High School, Virginia Wildcard
Seventh Place:
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Virginia
Eighth Place:
Staples High School, Connecticut Wildcard
Ninth Place:
Arcadia High School, California Wildcard
Tenth Place:
Corona Del Sol High School, Arizona

Find the Full List of Award Winners Here

Read Our Statement About the Corrected Results

Awards

The National Finals Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 11. This special event, culminating the weekend, will include the announcement of the top ten teams and other award winners. For those who cannot attend in person, the event is live streamed and recorded for viewing at any time.

Learn More About the Awards

See Past Award Winners

Event Program

Peruse the official program of the 2025 National Finals Awards Ceremony, with school rosters, alumni award winners, judges, and so much more.

See the Program in Fullscreen

Maps & Locations

The 2025 National Finals will again unfold in and around the vibrant heart of Washington, D.C., providing an immersive learning experience.

The competition sessions on April 9-10 will take place at the National Conference Center, just outside of Washington, D.C., in Leesburg, Virginia.
- See a detailed map of the venue here.
Final Round competitions and activities will take place at the National Union Building, just around the corner from Ford's Theatre, at 918 F St NW in Washington, D.C.

Events & Schedules

See the Top-10 Hearing Schedules: Friday, April 11

Further, more detailed event schedule updates, including locations for specific events, will be released closer to the National Finals dates of April 9-11, 2025. Please check back here for updates, or make sure you're signed up for the Center's newsletter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where and When are the Finals Held?

The National Finals typically unfolds in and around the vibrant heart of Washington, D.C., providing an immersive learning experience. The next event will take place April 9-11, 2025.

While in Washington, D.C., students can explore our nation's capital, learn about government beyond the classroom walls, and meet with elected officials, community leaders, and other dignitaries. Grand Classroom manages travel, lodging, and tour arrangements for participating classes. The Center for Civic Education organizes all other aspects of the National Finals.

Who Attends the National Finals?

What are the Eligibility Requirements to Compete?

The We the People National Finals presents a unique opportunity for high school classes. The following policies are designed to guide schools preparing to participate in the National Finals during the 2024–2025 Academic Year.

Team Eligibility

Rostered Classes:
- All rostered classes, regardless of size, are encouraged to participate in the We the People National Finals.
After-School Clubs:
- Clubs are eligible to participate, provided their respective state has not sent a team to the We the People National Finals since 2019.

Team Composition

There are no strict rules regarding team size. The class competition fee remains the same, regardless of the class size, ensuring that all classes, big or small, can participate.
Each participating class must answer all six unit questions.
Classes must be divided into six groups, each responsible for testifying on their assigned unit.
We recommend that each group should have at least three members, with the group sizes as equal as possible.
Students can participate in more than one unit if the class has fewer than 18 students.

Team Selection Process

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.

Wild Cards

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 accommodate 48 teams of students. Each state will be invited to send the winner of its state-level competition. If a state chooses not to send a team to the competition, another state will be invited to send a second team. The second team is designated as the wild-card team.
The state coordinator, who oversees the We the People program in their state, selects the wild-card team based on their performance at the state-level competition and their potential to effectively represent the state at the national level.
The wild-card system offers an additional chance for a high-performing team to compete nationally. If two teams are sent from a state, they must come from different schools. This rule ensures that a broader range of schools have the opportunity to participate and showcase their talents at the national level.

Individual Student Eligibility

Participation is open to all high school students, regardless of their prior experience with We the People. Students who participated in elementary or middle school hearings can compete in the high school competition.

Rosters

Teachers/coaches must provide a class roster, including unit assignments, after securing their spot in the National Finals by winning their state-level competition or through a wild card invitation.
The class roster should specify the unit to which each student is assigned.
National Finals rosters are due no later than February 25, 2025.
Teachers have the flexibility to change student unit assignments at each competition level (regional, state, national), providing an opportunity for growth and development, and allowing students to showcase their skills in different areas.

What are the Costs and Travel Logistics?

What are the Hearing Questions for the Competition?

Revisit Last Year's National Finals

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Emily Voss by email. She can assist you or direct you to additional resources.