The Golden State Academy
Golden State Academy, 200 Brown Rd #201, #201, Fremont, CA 94539
About
The Golden State Academy offers after-school speech and debate classes that include public speaking training, private coaching, and private speech coaching. Students can receive training in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Original Oratory as part of the program. The program also runs a competitive team that regularly takes students to tournaments both locally and across the nation.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: School-year classes with options Monday–Friday afternoons and evenings, plus Sunday daytime hours
The Golden State Academy’s stated priority is ensuring students have the right coaches, support, and environment to thrive. The program is comprised of award-winning coaches from across the Bay Area, and many of the head coaches were past coaches for both Olive Children Foundation and The Brooks Academy. All staff are former competitors of the James Logan High School Speech and Debate program that was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the PBS documentary Accidental Hero: Room 408. Instructors teach or have taught at schools such as The Harker School, Mission San Jose High School, Amador Valley High School, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley School, and Evergreen Valley High School.
The Golden State Academy is led in part by Victor Rivas Umana, who was named the 2021 CHSSA Middle School Coach of the Year, and the organization notes that families can sign up to get a phone call or video chat with the CEO. The program has received the National's Overall School of Excellence Award in 2016 and is described as a nationally recognized Bay Area speech and debate team. The Golden State Academy serves families across the Bay Area with convenient access to after-school speech and debate classes, public speaking training, and private coaching.
Last updated June 19, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: School-year classes with options Monday–Friday afternoons and evenings, plus Sunday daytime hours
The Golden State Academy’s stated priority is ensuring students have the right coaches, support, and environment to thrive. The program is comprised of award-winning coaches from across the Bay Area, and many of the head coaches were past coaches for both Olive Children Foundation and The Brooks Academy. All staff are former competitors of the James Logan High School Speech and Debate program that was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the PBS documentary Accidental Hero: Room 408. Instructors teach or have taught at schools such as The Harker School, Mission San Jose High School, Amador Valley High School, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley School, and Evergreen Valley High School.
The Golden State Academy is led in part by Victor Rivas Umana, who was named the 2021 CHSSA Middle School Coach of the Year, and the organization notes that families can sign up to get a phone call or video chat with the CEO. The program has received the National's Overall School of Excellence Award in 2016 and is described as a nationally recognized Bay Area speech and debate team. The Golden State Academy serves families across the Bay Area with convenient access to after-school speech and debate classes, public speaking training, and private coaching.
Last updated June 19, 2026.
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