Southland College Prep Charter High School

Southland has become known for its consistently strong performances in forensics competitions. This journey began in August 2010, when six students in the first class of Southland 9th graders participated in five competitive speech events with the goal of developing the skills in public speaking, oral interpretation, and acting; all skills they would need to be successful in school and life. Since that first season, the Southland Forensics and Theatre Department has grown to include many students who have participate in a dozen competitions each year, including hosting the most important tournament of the season, the IHSA Regional Speech Tournament.  In 2014, Southland placed second in the state in Group Interpretation, bringing home the school’s first state trophy.  In 2015, the speech team placed fourth in the state and several students received top honors in the National Speech and Debate Association national tournament including a national championship in Poetry Reading. The Performance in the Round team is also the only team in Illinois state history to win the state championship three years in a row.  The Speech team has also had a state champin in Dramatic Interpretation.