No experience needed
Most of our students have never debated before, and that's completely fine. We start with the basics and go at whatever pace works for your kid.
Free · Weekly 1-on-1 · Grades 5–8
Confidence that lasts well beyond the classroom.
Confident speaking. Clear thinking. One week at a time.
Free, one-on-one coaching in debate and public speaking for kids in grades 5 through 8. We meet for an hour a week, online. A lot of the kids who come to us are pretty shy at first, and watching them turn into confident speakers is the whole reason we do this.
100% free
Safe & supervised
Why we're here
Knowing how to make your case, and how to really listen to someone else's, is one of the most useful things a kid can learn. We didn't think something that important should cost money, so Vortex is free and open to any middle schooler who wants to give it a shot.
The Curriculum
Every format. Plus the fundamentals.
Start with the basics of speaking and reasoning, then explore the major debate styles to find the one that clicks.
Public Forum
Two-person teams debate the news in plain language. The friendliest place to begin.
Team · current eventsLincoln–Douglas
One-on-one debates about values and big ideas: fairness, freedom, right and wrong.
Solo · philosophyPolicy / CX
Deep research and evidence on one big question. Great for kids who love diving in.
Research · evidenceParliamentary
Topics announced with little prep time. It's all about quick thinking and staying cool under pressure.
Improv · quick prepSpeaking & Delivery
Voice, posture, pacing, eye contact, and beating the nerves. The foundation underneath every format.
Confidence · presence
How it works
Easy to join. Safe by design.
Every student gets their own coach for a private weekly hour online. A parent registers. No student accounts, no hassle.
1
A parent registers
A two-minute form: your name and email, your child's first name and grade. That's all we collect.
2
Get matched with a coach
We match your child with a coach, find a weekly time that works for your family, and send you a secure link.
3
Meet 1-on-1, weekly
An hour each week, just your child and their coach. You're always welcome to sit in or watch from the next room.
4
Practice & grow
Drills, mock debates, and honest feedback. Your child gets a little better every week, and has fun doing it.
For parents
Your child's safety comes first.
- Parents are always welcome.Because sessions are one-on-one, we encourage a parent or guardian to be present or nearby. The virtual door is always open.
- Recorded for transparency.Sessions can be recorded at your request and shared with you, so you always know exactly how your child's time is spent.
- Private, secure video.Business-grade meetings with waiting rooms and passwords, not open or gaming chat apps. We collect almost nothing and never sell data.
- COPPA-compliant & parent-led.Registration and all communication go through you, the parent, in line with children's-privacy law.
Coached by a high-school freshman.
So there's no surprise once classes begin: your child's coach is a high-school freshman and passionate debater who volunteers their time, which is exactly why the program is free. A responsible adult runs the program and handles all safety, privacy, and legal matters.
We follow youth-protection best practices, and our Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct are available to any family who wants them.
Have a question? Ask us
Registration
Ready to find your voice?
Sign-up is free and takes about two minutes. Fill out a short form and we'll follow up with scheduling info.
Register your child (it's free) Prefer email? Reach us at vortexdebate@gmail.com
Questions
Good to know
Who will coach my child?
Your child's coach is a high-school freshman who is an experienced, passionate debater and volunteers their time. That's exactly why the program is free. A responsible adult supervises the program and handles all safety, privacy, and legal matters. We want this clear up front so there are no surprises once sessions begin.
Is it really free?
Yes, completely. Vortex Speech & Debate is volunteer-run and there's no cost to families, now or ever.
What ages is it for?
Students in grades 5–8 (roughly ages 10–14). Because coaching is one-on-one, every session is tailored to your child's exact age and level.
What does a session look like?
One student, one coach, one hour, every week, online. The coach tailors each session to your child, with a parent always welcome to be present.
Does my child need experience?
Not at all. Most of our students are brand new to debate. We start with the fundamentals.
What do we need to take part?
A computer or tablet with a camera and microphone, and a quiet spot to join. That's it.
How do you keep kids safe online?
Sessions are one-on-one, and we encourage a parent or guardian to be present or nearby. We use secure video with waiting rooms and passwords, can record sessions on request, keep all communication through parents, and a responsible adult oversees the program. See the "For parents" section for details.