About Us
WHAT IS COGITO DEBATE?
Cogito Debate is a WASC accredited Speech and Debate School in Irvine, California. Cogito Debate offers a variety of courses tailored to elementary, middle and high students that significantly help them become independent thinkers, strong speakers, and confident leaders through instruction in public speaking, parliamentary debate, and reading and writing. Our knowledgeable staff and professional coaches make Cogito Debate a preferred, valued vendor with top charter schools and homeschool parents throughout Southern California.
Our Name Says It All – Cogito Ergo Sum. “I think, therefore I am.”
Arguably the most famous argument in philosophy, ‘the cogito,’ as it is commonly called, is a Latin philosophical proposition by René Descartes and a fundamental element of Western philosophy. Cogito ergo sum, however, isn’t the end point to thought, it’s the beginning.







WHAT SEPARATES COGITO DEBATE FROM OTHERS?
Cogito Debate elevates speech and debate by going beyond winning trophies by recognizing the importance of strengthening the communication skills of students as a means to achieve academic and career goals. You can view our students’ success over the past 2021-2022 school year here. We believe we are truly equipping the future leaders of our global world!
WHAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCES CAN COGITO PROVIDE FOR MY STUDENT?
Here at Cogito we provided students a safe environment which requires respect and support for each other, where students learn how to give constructive feedback to each other.
Students learn from coaches who are dedicated to elevating each student’s unique communication skills by creating a trustworthy relationship that inspires students to reach for and achieve a level of communication that they did not recognize was possible for them to achieve.
Students also learn the value of debate, which is to become a better critical thinker, think on their feet, and learn to agree to disagree and the importance of collaborating with their peers to creatively analyze and debate current events that impact their communities.
Students also learn the value of healthy competition by participating in tournaments hosted by Cogito Debate. For those students who are driven by a competitive spirit to compete in local, state and national tournaments, students can become a member of our debate teams who have won many impressive competitions!
COGITO NEWS
CLASS IN ACTION
BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH SPEECH AND DEBATE
Self-confidence can be taught! At Cogito Debate we believe that by practicing the skills of speech and Debate students become more proficient which leads to self-confidence.
BE PART OF THE FAMILY
BECOME A COACH
Cogito Debate is hiring debate coaches throughout California to join our professional coaching team! This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with relevant experience and a passion to set students on the path to becoming meaningful contributors to their communities through speech and debate.
