The Golden State Academy has been awarded the National Speech and Debate Association's Overall School of Excellence Award for the following results at the National tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah:
-Finalist in Original Oratory (5th place)
-Semifinalist in Original Oratory
-2 Finalists in Dramatic Interpretation (2nd, 3rd Place)
-Semifinalist in Dramatic Interpretation
-Quarter-finalist in Dramatic Interpretation
-Finalist in Storytelling (4th place)
-Quarter-finalist in Storytelling
-Finalist in Duo Interpretation (2nd place)
-Semifinalist in Duo Interpretation
-2 Finalists in Poetry Interpretation (2nd, 6th place)
-Semifinalist in Poetry Interpretation
-Quarter-finalist in Poetry Interpretation
-Finalist in Humorous Interpretation (5th place)
-Semifinalist in Humorous Interpretation
-Quarter-finalist in Humorous Interpretation
-Semifinalist in Declamation
-Quarter-finalist in Prose Interpretation
-Double Octofinalist in Lincoln Douglas Debate
-Double Octofinalist in Public Forum Debate
-Octofinalist in Public Forum Debate

We are the only private program to receive this distinction in 2016 and we are a coaching staff that has won this four times running over several programs (Olive Children 2013, and The Brooks Academy 2014, 2015)