2025–2026 Season Overview – VEX IQ & V5 Teams

Eligibility

• VEX IQ: Students born after May 1, 2010 (15 or younger at VEX Worlds 2026).
  • Elementary Division – Students born after May 1, 2013 (12 or younger at VEX Worlds 2026).
    ACR recommends participants be 9 years or older, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for details.
  • Middle: Eligible IQ students not in Elementary category.
• VEX V5 (High School): Students born after May 1, 2007 (18 or younger at VEX Worlds 2026).

Season Timeline

• Practices Start: Week of August 18, 2025
  • VEX IQ: Wednesdays 4:30–7:00 PM (additional day added as needed)
  • V5: Day TBD
  • Some Saturdays (full day) for robot build and testing
• Competitions: TBD – each team will compete in 1–6 events (most local)
• Possible 2–4 overnight competitions: State, Signature Event, U.S. Open, Worlds

Fees

• Registration Fee: $250 (includes team shirt & team registration)
• Monthly Fee: $130/month (Sept–May) – or pay in full
• Covers facility space, equipment, and basic operational costs
• Competition Fee: $30–$50 per event, billed per competition attended

Volunteer Policy

• 12 volunteer hours per family OR $250 volunteer buyout
• All ACR coaches are volunteers

Travel Consent Requirement

• Parents must confirm travel intent before team assignments
• Commitment considered in team placement for competitive readiness
• Travel Cost Estimates: U.S. Open or Worlds = $2,500–$5,000 per competitor (depending on travel/lodging style)
• Most travel within Alabama; overnight travel applies to special events

Additional Policies

• Students are placed based on competitiveness, experience, and skill to ensure the best learning environment
• Good behavior is critical for participation
• Students may miss school for travel competitions; these will be unexcused absences per Alabama law, but Auburn City Schools fully supports ACR participation and allows make-up work