About Us
The Palo Alto "Paly" High School Speech & Debate Program (PASD) is one of the most successful programs in California, ranked #3 out of 250 high school programs in the state and #24 out of 3,000+ in the country by the National Speech & Debate Association as of August 1, 2025. Our no-cuts, no-tryouts program includes 175+ student members competing in 10+ speech & debate events, and a long line of accomplished, beloved coaches from top schools such as Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale. We compete in 40+ tournaments from September–June, ranging from local novice scrimmages to out-of- state, international championships. Our program is highly respected for its inclusive, supportive, and welcoming culture, and has been consistently recognized for excellence in citizenship, winning three District Awards in 2022 and two in 2024, including Coach of the Year. We have also been featured in prominent news outlets, including KQED NPR. Guided by values such as student leadership, volunteer service, and social impact, our students collectively contribute over 3,500 community service hours each year. Our students also organize the Palo Alto Speech & Debate Camp, a 20 year-old summer program which teaches public speaking skills to elementary and middle school students, reaching 400+ kids every June.
