In collaboration with the Minnesota Service Cooperatives, the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee is one of nine regional bees across the state of Minnesota. The top spellers in grades 4-8 from Metro-area schools compete against one another during an evening of impressive S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G! Students increase their vocabulary, improve their spelling, and develop useful language skills for life.
After schools enroll through Scripps, they will hold Classroom and School Spelling Bees to determine a school champion. Each school champion qualifies for the semifinals, which is a 50-item computer-based spelling and vocabulary test. The top 50 spellers then compete at the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee. From here, the champion will go to Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland. This event aligns with Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts.
Scripps Benefits
Schools that enroll in the Scripps Bee program receive the following benefits:
- Exclusive online access to the teachers-only section of spellingbee.com.
- Official pronouncer guides for use in conducting classroom and school spelling bees.
- The Great Words, Great Works reading list with all source books, organized by reading level.
- Supplemental vocabulary materials for classroom and school levels.
- Customizable certificates for your participants and school champion.
- Britannica Online for Kids: A one-year subscription to Britannica Online for Kids to award to a participant in your school’s spelling bee program. If your school enrolls on or before September 30, your school receives TWO one-year subscriptions to Britannica Online for Kids.
- Study Materials: The 4,000-word Words of the Champions study guide for school champions that includes the 450-word School Spelling Bee Study List.
School Registration
The per-school registration fee through Scripps is $180 when you enroll through October 31, 2023. On November 1, the enrollment fee increases to $199.
The fee for the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee for the top 50 spellers is based on BrightWorks membership status. To find out if your school/district is a member, check the updated list here.
– BrightWorks Member: $40/speller
– Non-Member: $80/speller
Deadlines:
The deadlines for the 2024 Bee are below.
| December 31, 2023 | Scripps School Bee registration closes |
| January 26, 2024 | Final date to hold School Bee |
| February 1, 2024 | Deadline to register your School Bee champion for the semifinal online test |
| February 5 – 12, 2024 | Semifinal online test is available until February 13 at 11:59 pm |
| February 16, 2024 | Semifinal online test results are released |
| February 16, 2024 | Top 50 qualifiers are notified to participate in the Regional Bee |
| February 21, 2024 | Deadline to enroll your qualified semifinal champion in the Regional Bee |
| March 7, 2024 | Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee at Fridley High School Auditorium (Door 12) 6000 W Moore Lake Dr NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432 5:00 – 8:30 pm (approximately) |
| May 26 – June 1, 2024 | Scripps National Spelling Bee Week National Harbor, Maryland |
Sponsors
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors for supporting the continued coordination of this great competition!
If you would like to learn more about sponsoring the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee, you can view the sponsorship levels or contact Katie Wenzel at 612-638-1554.
2023 Regional Winners
Pictured from left to right:
First Place: Vihaan Kapil, Agamim Classical Academy, Edina
Second Place: Arya Carlson, Capitol Hill Magnet, Saint Paul
Third Place: Esther Van Arnem, Scott Highlands Middle School, Apple Valley
At the Spelling Bee, students…
Utilize skills of goal setting, good sportspersonship, public speaking, and strong communication.
Learn usage, meaning, and history of word components.
Increase their vocabulary and develop cognitive abilities and learning strategies.
Questions?
For more information about how your students can participate, if you are interested in volunteering as a judge, or if you’d like to sponsor the Bee, contact Katie Wenzel at 612-638-1554.
© 2023 SparkPath, Inc.
SparkPath presents its programs in collaboration with BrightWorks (formerly Metro ECSU). BrightWorks member districts/schools save 30-50% on SparkPath registration fees. For more information, visit www.brightworksmn.org.
