Washington Urban Debate is the debate community in DC, providing free debate programs to more than 50 DC area public 6-12 schools. Join us changing lives! Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) uses debate to make transformative opportunities available for students in the Greater Washington area. Peer-reviewed research shows competitive debate as one of the best things a student can do with their out-of-school time, building life-long and career-oriented skills that cannot be automated or outsourced. Debaters show more substantial academic and social-emotional growth and graduate and attend college at a higher rate than their non-debater peers. Sadly, debate is traditionally only found at elite private and suburban schools. WUDL creates a space where middle and high school students attending public schools (especially Title 1 Schools) can hone their critical thinking and advocacy skills and build an intellectual community of their peers.