J. J. Pearce High School
| J.J. Pearce High School | |
 | |
| School Founded | 1968 |
| Team Established | 1984 |
| History | J.J. Pearce has the second most National championships in the country and the second most State championships in Texas. |
| City | Richardon, Texas |
| Team Colors | Red and Blue |
| Principal | Karen Neal |
| Head Coach | Mr. Matthew Fields (2016-current)
Mr. Jarred Stewart (Unknown-2016) Dr. Carol Whatley (Unknown-Unknown) Ms. Carol Hewitt (1995-2006) Ms. Polly Gilbert (1984-1885) Ms. Ann Steel (1986) Ms. Dorcas Helms (1987-1994) Ms. Linda Berger (1987-1994) |
| Associate/Other Head Coach(es) | Ms. Ann Bailey (Unknown-Current)
Ms. Carol Hewitt (Unknown) Ms. Ann Steel (1985) Ms. Dorcas Helms (1986) Ms. Linda Berger (1986) Ms. Susan Maute (1995-2006) Ms. Vivian Schermer (1984) |
| National Championships | 5, (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991) |
| State Championships | 5, (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991) |
| Regional/County Championships | ? (Unconfirmed data) |
| Region/County Location | Region X |
| Highest Finish | 1st in National Finals
(1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991) |
| School Website | {{{website}}} |
J.J. Pearce High School
J.J. Pearce High School has one of the most consistent teams in the state of Texas. They were Texas State Champions in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1991. Never having competed at Nationals and not won, 1984 ushered in the J.J. Pearce era of dominance at the USAD National competition, becoming the first and only school to win three national championships in a row with the next two victories separated by only one and two years, respectively, of close competition. With five national titles, a record never broken until El Camino Real of California 19 years later, J.J. Pearce is a name well known and respected in Academic Decathlon circles. As of 2016, their five national titles is the record for the most attained by any Texas team and ties for second-most in the entire nation.
J.J. Pearce's team was founded by Polly Gilbert and Vivian Schermer in the fall of 1983 for the 1984 competitions, the first year AcDec was held in Texas. 1984 was also the first year that any non-California team won the event. Ann Steel replaced Ms. Schermer for the '85 season, and then became head coach in '86 with assistant coaches Dorcas Helms and Linda Berger.
Later teams were led by Ms. Helms, affectionately nicknamed "The Dominant", and Ms. Berger, until 1995 when Carol "The Lady" Hewitt and Susan Maute took over coaching duties. In 2007, the team changed hands again when Carol "The Good Doctor" Whatley assumed the role of head coach with Ms. Hewitt staying on as assistant. In 2012 Dr. Whatley retired from coaching, handing off the team to Jarred Stewart, the school's AP US History teacher and Carol Hewitt continued on as assistant. In 2012, the school returned to large school status. Matt Fields took over as head coach in 2016. As a school with borderline enrollment figures, J.J. Pearce often fluctuates between the Medium and Large classifications with its coaches ensuring consistent success in both divisions.
In 2000, Varsity Jerry McMillan scored 8,499 points, at the time making him one of the top ten highest scoring varsities ever. In 2017, Mark Saving scored a 9338.3 at the state competition, winning first place overall and achieving the rank of third highest state finish in Texas of all time; at this competition, Mark was awarded a total of 7 individual medals.
| Year | Score | Rank | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 45,525.3 | 10 | Large |
| 2016 | 44,814.4 | 18 | Large |
| 2015 | 41,208.4 | 21 | Large |
| 2014 | 41,028.7 | 14 | Large |
| 2013 | 39,367.3 | 15 | Large |
| 2012 | 42,061 | 6 | Medium |
| 2011 | 40,679 | 7 | Medium |
| 2010 | 42,374 | 4 | Medium |
| 2009 | 39,727 | 10 | Medium |
| 2008 | 45,339 | 5 | Medium |
| 2007 | 43,766 | 3 | Medium |
| 2006 | 41,671 | 8 | Large |
| 2005 | 42,459 | 9 | Large |
| 2004 | 43,943 | 3 | Medium |
| 2003 | 45,126 | 2 | Medium |
| 2002 | - | - | Medium |
| 2001 | - | - | Medium |
| 2000 | 48,870 | 5 | Large |
| 1999 | - | 7 | Large |
| 1998 | 46,000 | 7 | Large |
| 1997 | - | 9 | Large |
| 1996 | 46,033 | 5 | Large |
| 1995 | - | - | Large |
| 1994 | 45,920 | 2 | Large |
| 1993 | 47,458 | 2 | Large |
| 1992 | 47,752 | 2 | Large |
| 1991 | 46,729 | 1 | Large |
| 1990 | 44,068 | 3 | Large |
| 1989 | 43,992 | 2 | Large |
| 1988 | 43,240 | 1 | Large |
| 1987 | 43,961 | 3 | Large |
| 1986 | 46,435 | 1 | Large |
| 1985 | 46,976 | 1 | Large |
| 1984 | - | 1 | Large |
