Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee

Students sit on stage for a spelling bee while an audience watches; quote encourages a supportive environment.
Students sit on stage at a spelling bee as teachers and judges stand nearby; quote about program organization shown.
A woman speaks onstage at a spelling bee event with empty chairs and audience members in view.
Students sit in rows on stage at a spelling bee event, with audience members and judges watching attentively.
Three smiling students hold trophies and certificates on stage after a spelling bee competition.
2026 Bee Flyer
2026 Impact Report

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. The top spellers then compete at the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee. From here, our champion will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Review the Minnesota Academic Standards alignment for the Bee.

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 competition lists for use in conducting classroom and school spelling bees.
  • The Great Words, Great Works reading list with all source books, organized by reading level.
  • 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.
  • 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 will be $199 from August 18, 2026 through November 30, 2026.

The fee for the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee for the top spellers is based on BrightWorks membership status. To find out if your school/district is a member, please see the updated membership list.
– BrightWorks Member: $41/speller
– Non-Member: $81/speller

2026-2027 Deadlines:

All School Bee Champions are invited to compete at the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee. The Semifinal Online Test is no longer used to determine regional participation.

December 31, 2026Scripps School Bee registration closes
January 29, 2027Final date to hold School Bee
February 5, 2027Deadline to enroll your School Bee Champion in your Scripps school portal
February 19, 2027Deadline to enroll your School Bee Champion for the Regional Bee with Katie Wenzel
TBDTwin Cities Regional Spelling Bee
May 31 – June 4, 2027Scripps National Spelling Bee Week
Washington, D.C.
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Partners

Thank you to our 2025-2026 contributors 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 contribution levels or contact Katie Wenzel at 612-638-1554.

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2026 Regional Winners

Three smiling kids holding trophies and certificates on a stage, wearing spelling bee contestant numbers.


Regional Champion: Wade, Minnetonka Middle School East, Minnetonka (Center)
First Runner Up: Isabella, Holy Family Academy, Minneapolis (Left)
Second Runner Up: Nolan, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul (Right)

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.

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© 2025 SparkPath, Inc.


SparkPath@brightworksmn.org
612-638-1500
2 Pine Tree Drive, Suite 101
Arden Hills, MN 55112
EIN: 41-1948020

SparkPath is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that presents its programs in collaboration with BrightWorks, a Minnesota Service Cooperative. BrightWorks member districts/schools save 30-50% on SparkPath registration fees. For more information, visit www.brightworksmn.org.

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