Scholastic Esports

New Education Esports League Launching in California

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 11/05/20

Two education organizations are teaming up to launch an esports league and tournament in California. California League of Schools, which provides professional development to teachers and administrators, is working with Mastery Coding, which develops computer science courses, to launch the California League of Esports.

The cost to join is $2,995, which allows a school to have as many students and teams as it wishes. Membership includes access to Mastery Coding's Pathway Esports curriculum, participation in California tournaments as well as a "toolkit" with guidance on how to start and run esports teams. The first tournament will take place Jan. 23-24, 2021.

Games covered include Fortnite, Rocket League, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., Overwatch, and others.

According to the two organizations, the program is intended to help school communities re-engage with their students after months of remote learning.

"This school year, [California League of Schools] is focused on helping schools engage students because connection and well-being are very important during COVID-19," said Executive Director, Cathy Perry, in a press release, "Esports is a great way to do this by helping students to learn and grow together."

"The multi-billion-dollar gaming industry offers career opportunities in software design, advertising, accounting, graphic design and so much more," added Alan Sitomer, CEO of Mastery Coding. "That's why we've built an academic esports toolkit that channels students' passion for gaming into deep, meaningful, standards-based education."

The Pathway Esports class materials are recommended for students in grades 7-12. According to the company, it requires no prior online gaming experience to teach.