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.
- Elementary Division – Students born after May 1, 2013 (12 or younger at VEX Worlds 2026).
- 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