Forensics collectively includes debate, public speaking, literary/dramatic performance, and model U.S. Congress.  These academic competitions help students learn to work collaboratively, build confidence, improve reasoning, research and organizational skills, and enhance presentational technique.  A 1999 report in the Wall Street Journal cited forensics as the top extra-curricular activity college admissions counselors look for, especially where enrollment is competitive, such as at Ivy League schools.  Rufus King's forensics program is directed by teacher Diane Hardy.

• Just a mere social “club” or “activity”
• Exclusively for naturally-gifted public speakers or high-achieving students
• Simply a “speech,” “drama,” or “language arts” activity

Further Benefits:

• Recent data illustrates that participation in high school forensics boosts SAT scores better than enrollment in a test preparation course.  Students are exposed to the type of critical thinking and to an elevated vocabulary, which they put into practice on a regular basis.
• Forensics alumni who work in college admissions offices report that participation in speech and debate give students an upper hand in securing admission as well as scholarships.
• James Madison University compiled a salient list of rationales for supporting forensics, and while the list is focused at the collegiate level, it illustrates many cogent reasons that apply to high school and the greater school district:

Benefits to Students

1. Forensics offers students an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, organization, persuasion, and oral communication skills.
2. Forensics provides useful career preparation in law, education, politics, broadcasting, religion, public affairs, business, and other professions requiring critical thinking and communication skills.
3. Forensics appeals to students with different goals and interests. The activity is interdisciplinary with subject matter taken from such disciplines as economics, politics, sociology, science, communication, history, English, philosophy, and many others.
4. Forensics provides students with an opportunity to develop social skills, including experiences in teamwork and group membership. Students develop realistic attitudes toward competition through competing responsibly and effectively in an intellectual environment.
5. Forensics enables students to clarify their personal and social values through confrontation with the value judgments of others. Students learn respect for dissenting opinions and acquire knowledge and skills crucial to effective participation in a democratic society.
6. Forensics provides students an enriched educational offering. A good forensics program becomes an ongoing honors course for academically talented students. As students develop proficiency in critical thinking, writing, and speaking, the major goals of liberal education are advanced.

The National Forensic League (NFL) is an academic honorary society, wherein students earn varying "degrees" based on competition and service activities, including television broadcasts and speaking at community assemblies. In 1995, Rufus King was the leading chapter for memberships and degrees in the Southern Wisconsin District, and in 2004, won the District Tournament cumulative rounds traveling trophy. For two consecutive years (2005 and 2006), Rufus King has had NFL Academic All-Americans (ranked among the top 25 merit point-earning students nationwide, out of several thousand); both have been the top-rated Wisconsinites.

In addition to our NFL accolades, the following highlights additional honors by Rufus King's squads:

• In 2006, our Congressional debate squad swept the state tournament for the second consecutive year.  2007 was the fifth consecutive year we’ve claimed that championship.
• Harvard University National Student Congress (champion 2006 – Eva Lam; finalists, 2004-2006)
• National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) (national qualifiers, 2000-2008; 5th place Congress 2005)
• Wisconsin High School Forensic Association State Debate Tournament (3rd, 2004; 5th, 2005; Runner-Up VSS, 2006)
• Wisconsin Debate Coaches Association State Tournament (2nd place Squad Sweepstakes, 2004)
• Representative to ABC News/United Nations Foundation/NFL (The People Speak Forum, 2004)

Adam Jacobi, Rufus King IB alum,  directed the forensics program from 1997-2008.  Winner of the Wisconsin Forensic Coaches' Association (WFCA) 2006 Coaching Excellence Award, he sat on the executive committees of the WFCA, Wisconsin Debate Coaches’ Association (president, 2006-2007), Southern Wisconsin NFL District, and for Congress at the National Debate Tournament of Champions (TOC).  Respected nationwide, Jacobi has directed the TOC Congress, and served as a tournament official at both the NFL and NCFL national tournaments. He wrote the textbook, Student Congress Debate, and has been published occasionally in the NFL’s Rostrum magazine.  Jacobi was a consulting educator for the NFL/US State Department’s International Debate Exchange Program, and has taught Congress at the Florida Forensic Institute.  He has also worked with Alverno College to host a major annual invitational tournament.  In 2008, Jacobi accepted a staff position with the National Forensic League, in outreach/advocacy and coach education.