Franklin School, part of our global network of Dwight Schools, in Jersey City, has been named a Top 10 School for Innovation by T4 Education as part of the organization’s “World’s Best School Prizes”  — and is the only North American school to be recognized in the category. This recognition reflects the creativity, passion, and groundbreaking work happening across every subject at Franklin.

The five World’s Best School Prizes, founded by T4 Education in 2022 to share the best practices of schools that are changing lives in classrooms and far beyond their walls, are the world’s most prestigious education prizes.

“Being named one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Schools in the world validates the model we’ve been building,” says Franklin’s Director of Innovation Jaymes Dec, “one grounded in design, systems, and future thinking along with community connection and student agency. It’s not just about what students know, but what they’re able to do with that knowledge to make a real impact.”

The winners of the five World’s Best School Prizes — for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives — will be chosen by an expert Judging Academy based on rigorous criteria. In addition, all 50 finalist schools across the five Prizes will also take part in a public vote, which runs through July 9, to determine the winner of the Community Choice Award. All six winners will be announced in October.

Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, says, “It is in schools like Franklin School where we find the innovations and expertise that give us hope for a better future. Congratulations on becoming a finalist for the World’s Best School Prizes 2025. Leaders and schools around the world have so much to learn from this inspirational Jersey City institution.”

The recognition is a testament to the remarkable ways Franklin School is reimagining education, from science and math to the arts and humanities. Students at Franklin are doing the kind of work not normally seen until college — or later. Whether pitching ventures, building assistive tech, or training AI models, students are learning how to think critically, collaborate, and lead with empathy.

“We set out to build a school where students feel seen, where teachers have space to grow, and where big ideas can take shape,” says Mr. Dec. “This recognition is a sign that the work is resonating—and that we’re on the right path.”

Congratulations to the entire Franklin community — students, teachers, and families — whose commitment to making innovation a daily reality has paid off with this incredible honor.

Vote Here by July 9 to Help Franklin Win the Community Choice Award!

More about the World’s Best Schools Prizes and T4 can be found here.