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Arizona Spelling Bee

Spelling Bees are powerful energizers for schools to bolster student literacy, including reading comprehension, vocabulary building and verbal speaking skills.

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Participants sit on stage during a spelling bee event. A large screen displays

Over 500K Students Compete in the Arizona Spelling Bee Every Year

Open to all students and schools around the state, the Arizona Spelling Bee inspires participants across schools, districts and counties, helping them build literacy skills and self-confidence. AEF provides leadership and guidance to thousands of teachers, librarians and volunteer spelling coordinators to ensure the success of local and regional spelling bees. As the official state partner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, each spring we also host the Arizona Spelling Bee State Finals, where 28 county-level champions compete for the top three spots. The winning students then go on to represent Arizona on the national stage at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Signature Event

Arizona Spelling Bee State Finals 

March 15, 2025

A participant in a yellow shirt holds a large trophy on stage at a spelling bee event, with another participant standing in the background.
A group of people on stage, two holding trophies, with a woman holding a microphone. They're wearing yellow t-shirts, smiling, and standing in front of a Bee-themed backdrop.
Two individuals holding large winner checks and trophies at an event, with a backdrop showing the Arizona Educational Foundation logo.
Five young spelling bee winners on stage holding trophies and oversized checks, with a backdrop showing "Arizona Spelling Bee 2024" and a bee logo.
Four people standing behind a table with snacks, wearing white shirts and lanyards. They hold various items like a banana and snack bags, with some wearing blue gloves.
Five people holding trophies on stage at a spelling bee event. The person on the right holds a large winner's check. Confetti is scattered on the floor.
A large auditorium filled with people facing a stage with two blank projection screens.
Group of students seated on stage at the Arizona Educational Foundation event, 2024, with trophies on a table and a large screen displaying a bee logo.
A group of people on stage, two holding trophies, with a woman holding a microphone. They're wearing yellow t-shirts, smiling, and standing in front of a Bee-themed backdrop.
Two individuals holding large winner checks and trophies at an event, with a backdrop showing the Arizona Educational Foundation logo.
Five young spelling bee winners on stage holding trophies and oversized checks, with a backdrop showing "Arizona Spelling Bee 2024" and a bee logo.
Four people standing behind a table with snacks, wearing white shirts and lanyards. They hold various items like a banana and snack bags, with some wearing blue gloves.
Five people holding trophies on stage at a spelling bee event. The person on the right holds a large winner's check. Confetti is scattered on the floor.
A large auditorium filled with people facing a stage with two blank projection screens.
Group of students seated on stage at the Arizona Educational Foundation event, 2024, with trophies on a table and a large screen displaying a bee logo.
A teacher engages with three students sitting at a table in a classroom. A laptop and papers are on the table, and a whiteboard with math equations is in the background.

How the AZ Spelling Bee Works

Arizona students put their spelling skills to the test each year through AEF’s Arizona Spelling Bee program. Open to all students, the program promotes literacy, builds self-confidence and encourages a love for language.

Registration Information

Get started with the Arizona Spelling Bee program in two simple steps.

Register Your School

Eligibility Requirements

All Arizona students are invited to participate provided that schools comply with Scripps guidelines.

Check Eligibility

For School Coordinators

Get access to key dates, spelling bee rules and the coordinator directory.

Visit Coordinator HQ

About Scripps

AEF follows spelling bee rules and regulations as set by Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Visit Scripps

Enroll Your School

Sign up for the Arizona Spelling Bee and become part of a tradition that encourages nearly 500,000 Arizona students to improve literacy skills and build confidence.

Enroll
A smiling young girl stands at a microphone, wearing a yellow shirt and a competition badge with the number 4 at a spelling bee event.

Meet the 2024 Spelling Bee Winner

AEF is proud to announce Aliyah Alpert finished first in the 2024 Arizona Spelling Bee. Aliyah is a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Yavapai County, and this is her second time winning and representing our state at the National Scripps Spelling Bee.

Meet Aliyah See Past Winners

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