The Chester County Intermediate Unit will, for a fee and upon request, conduct regional academic competitions for intermediate units that do not have a regional competition in place. The winners of the regional competitions represent their intermediate unit in the Pennsylvania State Academic Competition.

The Pennsylvania Academic Competition began in 1992 under the sponsorship of Representative Joseph Pitts (R-Chester County) who provided a $5,000 WAM grant to cover costs. The first annual competition was held in the House of Representatives on May 29, 1992, with 12 school districts representing 11 different Intermediate Units. Now in its 30th year, approximately 24 intermediate units will participate in the 2020 Pennsylvania Academic Competition. The Pennsylvania Academic Competition is hosted by Representative John A. Lawrence of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and coordinated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit. The Pennsylvania State Education Association generously sponsors the competition and underwrites the scholarships for the finalists and champions.

Each intermediate unit (IU) must register its champion. It is up to the IU to determine a process, select a school and complete the Team Nomination Online Registration by Friday, April 9, 2021. To register your school, please contact Jay Stone via email at JayS@cciu.org.

This year's Pennsylvania State Academic Competition is hosted by the Honorable John Lawrence and sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Each of the 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania is permitted to send one high school academic team to participate in the competition. The championship team will receive a $2,000 scholarship for their high school. Finalists will each receive $500 for their school.