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The Mission of the Academic World Quest (AWQ)
Competition is to inspire high school students across the
United States to increase their global awareness.
Academic World Quest (AWQ) is a flagship program of the national network of World Affairs Councils, located in more than 90 communities across the country. AWQ has been a key educational focus of the World Affairs Council of the Desert since 2005 when Charles and Priscilla Porter founded the program in the desert.
A team competition, AWQ tests high school students’ knowledge of international affairs, current events, human geography, world history, and culture. The goal is to help prepare students for life in the globally connected, rapidly transforming world of the 21st century.
After studying ten topics put together each year, approximately 4000 students across the country participate in competitions hosted by the local World Affairs Council. Winning teams are invited to represent their high school at the national AWQ competition, held in the spring in Washington, D.C.
The following schools have indicated they will be participating in the 2026 Charles and Priscilla Porter Academic World Quest competition (renamed to honor the founders in early 2025).
· Coachella Valley High School
· Desert Hot Springs High School
· Indio High School
· LaQuinta High School
· Palm Valley High School
· Palm Desert High School
· Palm Springs High School
· Shadow Hills High School
· Xavier College Prep
The 2025 AWQ competition celebrated 20 years of Academic World Quest in the Coachella Valley. On February 13, seven Valley high schools participated. Palm Desert High School took first place, followed by Rancho Mirage High School in second place with LaQuinta High School taking third after a lone tiebreaker round with Palm Valley High School.