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We are delighted to unveil the Top 10 finalists of the Global Schools Prize 2026, across ten categories. An initiative of The Varkey Foundation, celebrating the world’s most innovative and impactful schools reimagining education for the future.
AI Transformation Category - IISS Ettore Majorana
Arts, Culture & Creativity Category - Freedom International Schools - Africa
Character & Values Category - Escuela de Talentos Guanajuato Azteca
Global Citizenship & Peacebuilding Category - LEAD 359
Health & Wellbeing Category - IES Carmen de Burgos Seguí
Overcoming Adversity Category - Alsama Project
SEND & Inclusive Category - Suubi Community Primary School & Secondary Schools
STEM Education Category - Neeson Cripps Academy
Sustainability Category - Institución Educativa Comercial de Envigado
Teacher Development Category - Reach Academy Feltham
Each category winner receives $50,000 alongside a Global Schools Prize Badge, recognising their extraordinary leadership and impact in advancing education. The schools were selected from almost 3,000 nominations and applications across 113 countries worldwide.
The overall winner of the Global Schools Prize, and recipient of an additional $500,000 prize to scale its impact, is set to be announced at the Education World Forum on 19 May.
Founded by renowned education pioneer and philanthropist Sunny Varkey, the $1 million Global Schools Prize is the largest prize of its kind. Today’s top 10 announcement recognises outstanding schools worldwide that demonstrate exceptional drive and ambition for their students, regardless of circumstance, ensuring every learner has the chance to thrive.
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, the Global Schools Prize, and GEMS Education, said:
“Congratulations. Your approach to teaching and learning powerfully demonstrates how schools play a defining role in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to shape our rapidly evolving world. By highlighting your achievement, we hope to inspire a global movement to reimagine learning and turn bold ideas into real-world impact. This is more than an award – it’s a platform to spark a global conversation about scaling the best ideas in education and advancing action far beyond the classroom.”
We are delighted to announce the Top 50 shortlist for the inaugural $1 million Global Schools Prize 2026, an initiative of The Varkey Foundation celebrating the world’s most innovative and impactful schools that are reimagining education for the future.
The Top 50 shortlisted schools are awarded a Global Schools Prize Badge, symbolising world-class impact and achievement in areas ranging from AI transformation to teacher development. These schools are also welcomed into the Global Schools Network, gaining access to partnerships, professional development, and global collaboration opportunities with other leading institutions.
The Top 50 will be narrowed down to 10 category winners, who will each be awarded $50,000. Of those, one extraordinary school will receive the Global Schools Prize and $500,000 to scale its impact.
The winner is expected to be announced at the Education World Forum in London in May.
