High School

DECA encompasses more than 185,000 students and advisors in more than 5,000 high school chapters.

• DECA's online membership system is now open.
  

DECA members can begin their experience as early as the ninth grade by enrolling in a marketing, finance, hospitality, business management or entrepreneurship course. They can retain their membership in DECA as long as they are actively pursuing courses in one of the content areas. As part of a high school chapter, DECA members can take full advantage of DECA activities while preparing themselves to be college and career ready upon graduation.

By leveraging their DECA membership, members can become

• academically prepared for college and careers in marketing, finance, hospitality or management
• community oriented by gaining an appreciation for the benefits of service and their potential impact on the community and world
• professionally responsible with ethics, integrity and high standards
• experienced leaders by practicing key leadership skills such as goal setting, consensus building and project management.

High school chapters are recognized and chartered by the state or provincial association and must be authorized by the local school and advised by a faculty member responsible for course content in one of areas identified above.