NAVI Debate | Grade 3-12
THINK CLEARLY. SPEAK WITH PURPOSE. LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE.
We deliver a world-class competitive debate program & IPPF training in NY & NJ for students in grades 3–12. Our mission is simple: help students find their voice, build confidence, and develop the critical thinking and leadership skills they’ll use for a lifetime.
THINK WITH STRUCTURE
Learn to organize ideas, evaluate information, and build logical connections between claims and evidence.
EXPRESS WITH CLARITY
Turn complex thoughts into clear, well-structured explanations — in both speaking and writing.
SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE
Practice expressing ideas, responding in the moment, and speaking comfortably in front of others.
COLLABORATE & LEAD
Learn to listen, respond, support teammates, and take ownership of ideas. These skills extend naturally into team projects, presentations, leadership roles, competitions, and meaningful extracurricular experiences.
Programs for Every Stage
Foundation (ELM · Grades 3-5)
Compete and lead (HS · Grades 9–12)
Reason and apply (MS · Grades 6–8)
Build Confidence & Curiosity – Students build confidence, curiosity, and clear thinking through age-appropriate speaking, short research, argument games, and guided debate.
Reason and apply (MS · Grades 6–8)
Compete and lead (HS · Grades 9–12)
Reason and apply (MS · Grades 6–8)
Think Critically & Compete – Develop stronger argument structure, evidence use, strategic questioning, rebuttal, teamwork, and research. Students begin applying these skills in more formal debate and competition experiences
Compete and lead (HS · Grades 9–12)
Compete and lead (HS · Grades 9–12)
Compete and lead (HS · Grades 9–12)
Lead & Excel –Advance into Public Forum, IPPF, intensive research, strategic case building, national and international tournaments, leadership, and long-term extracurricular development
NAVI Young Speakers & Leaders
NAVI Young Speakers & Leaders helps elementary students build the thinking and communication skills that form a strong foundation for academics — while growing into confident, thoughtful leaders. Students research, write, present, debate, and use AI responsibly to explore real-world questions. Speech, Debate, and the Presidential AI Competition serve as guided milestones where students apply their skills, receive feedback, and grow.
THINK WITH STRUCTURE
Learn to organize ideas, evaluate information, and build logical connections between claims and evidence.
EXPRESS WITH CLARITY
Turn complex thoughts into clear, well-structured speaking and writing across different academic settings.
SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE
Build confidence presenting ideas, responding thoughtfully, and communicating effectively with peers and audiences.
Unlock Your Potential
Leadership & Teamwork
Proven Growth, Proven Results
Proven Growth, Proven Results
Students take on real leadership roles, guide peers across age groups, and lead team and community initiatives — building responsibility, communication, teamwork, and the confidence to make an impact.
Proven Growth, Proven Results
Proven Growth, Proven Results
Proven Growth, Proven Results
Our students grow into stronger thinkers, speakers, and competitors — and that growth is reflected in consistent recognition at prestigious tournaments nationwide and internationally.
Competitive opportunities
Proven Growth, Proven Results
EXPERT COACHING & PARTNERSHIP
Up to 30+ tournaments each year. Students who are ready can take their skills further through regional, national, and international debate competitions (Harvard, Georgetown, Stanford, TOC, Berkeley, etc).
EXPERT COACHING & PARTNERSHIP
Proven Growth, Proven Results
EXPERT COACHING & PARTNERSHIP
NAVI combines experienced coaching with its partnership with Debate US to support students from foundational learning through advanced competition.
COACHING THAT MEETS STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE
Stefan Bauschard
Stefan Bauschard
Stefan Bauschard
Founder of DebateUS and former Debate Coach for the Harvard Debate Council (2004–2015). He helped develop Public Forum debate in China and has supported programs in the Dominican Republic, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
Johnny Thompson
Stefan Bauschard
Stefan Bauschard
A second-year Harvard Law student and Yale graduate who coaches international written debate competitions. He has been coaching with NAVI for three years.
Jazmine Pickens
Stefan Bauschard
Jazmine Pickens
Assistant Director of the Harvard Debate Council. She has coached at HDC since 2019 and became Assistant Director in January 2023.
we compete, learn, and grow together
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