Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Academic Competition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Beatty Middle School students place second at National Academic Pentathlon; district honors team at board meeting
Summary
Beatty Middle School’s academic pentathlon team, including sixth graders, earned second place at the National Academic Pentathlon in San Antonio. Teachers, students and district staff described the year-long preparation and recognized coaches and volunteers at the Buena Park School District board meeting.
Beatty Middle School’s academic pentathlon team — coached by Roxanne Bogart, Kirsten Kim and Rebecca Bissow — earned second place at the National Academic Pentathlon in San Antonio, the Buena Park School District governing board heard Wednesday evening.
The pentathlon coaching team and several students presented a recap of a season that began in September 2024 and included 72 initial participants whittled to 36 competitors across four teams. "It has been an honor to join Kirsten Kim on the academic pentathlon coaching team as the sixth grade coach this year," said Roxanne Bogart, a Beatty Middle School teacher, describing the coaches’ work to prepare students for regional and national competition.
The district presentation said the teams competed in five academic areas — language arts/literature, math, science, social studies and fine arts — with the year’s topic focused on climate change. "Going to nationals for Pentathlon was an amazing experience," said Liam, a Beatty student, who described studying review packets, practicing super quizzes and writing essay responses about the assigned book. Another student, Oliver, said the program helped students learn advanced topics such as probability and trigonometry and strengthened teamwork skills.
The board and superintendent praised the students and staff. "Congratulations to the team and the continued excellence that's being shown at Beatty Middle School," Trustee Jensen said during board remarks. The district presentation noted one sixth grade team was the only sixth grade team from Orange County to qualify for nationals and that Beatty’s competitors returned with 48 individual medals and high team placements.
Coaches said work for next year has already begun, with the 2025–26 reading selection and study plan in place. The board did not take formal action on the program report; the presentation was received as information and public recognition.
Board members and the superintendent thanked the coaches, parents and students for their work and travel support.
