Scripps National Spelling Bee
Your complete guide to preparing for the nation's most prestigious spelling competition. Start your journey to nationals with expert resources and proven strategies.
96th Annual Competition
Students Participate Annually
Champion's Prize
Finalists at Nationals
About the Scripps National Spelling Bee
America's most celebrated academic competition since 1925
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation's longest-running educational competition, established in 1925. Each year, over 11 million students begin the journey at the school level, with approximately 234 advancing to compete at the national finals in Washington, D.C.
The competition has crowned legendary spellers and launched countless academic careers. Winners receive national recognition, college scholarships, and the prestigious Scripps Cup trophy. The bee is broadcast live on national television, making it one of the most-watched academic events in America.
1. School Bee (Fall-Winter)
Students compete at their school level. School champions advance to regional competitions.
2. Regional/Local Bee (Winter-Spring)
Regional champions from across the country earn their spot at nationals. Some areas also hold online competitions.
3. National Finals (Late May/Early June)
234 spellers from across America compete over multiple days. Rounds include vocabulary, written tests, and on-stage spelling. Finals are broadcast on ESPN and other networks.
Preparation Resources
Everything you need to prepare for competition success
- School Spelling Bee Study List (450 words)
- Consolidated Word List (comprehensive)
- Words of the Champions guide
- Pronunciation audio for all words
- Word definitions and usage examples
- Interactive spelling games
- Etymology and root word patterns
- Memory techniques and mnemonics
- Competition day strategies
Tips from Champions
Proven strategies from past Scripps National Spelling Bee winners
"Understanding word origins was my secret weapon. If you know that 'psych-' comes from Greek and means 'mind,' you'll never misspell psychology-related words again."
— Former National Champion
"Simulate competition conditions at home. Have someone quiz you while standing up, with a time limit. It prepares you mentally for the actual bee environment."
— 2-time Finalist
"Always ask for the definition, part of speech, language of origin, and an example sentence. These clues can help you piece together the correct spelling even for unfamiliar words."
— National Champion
"I studied 30-45 minutes every single day for a year. Consistency beats cramming. Your brain needs time to build those spelling connections."
— Regional Champion
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee
Official Resources
Connect with the official Scripps National Spelling Bee
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Begin your path to the Scripps National Spelling Bee with our comprehensive study resources.