#United States #Washington D.C. #Future City #Laurel Springs School #Sant'Isidoro

Laurel Springs School's Future City Team Excels at 2026 Nationals

The Future City Nationals Competition, held in Washington, D.C. over President's Day weekend, witnessed the outstanding performance of Laurel Springs School's Future City team. Comprising five dedicated students, the team took home the acclaimed People's Choice Award, a testament to their creativity and innovation.

Journey to the Nationals

The journey to the Nationals began with fierce competition. Laurel Springs School, a private K-12 online institution based in Ojai, California, saw its team shine among 109 schools during the preliminary rounds, finishing in the top 20 to qualify for the prestigious event. The team was led by science teacher Nick Accardo as the head coach and Spanish teacher Geoffrey Embrey as the assistant coach, guiding these talented students through months of preparation.

Presentation of Sant'Isidoro

At the competition, the team unveiled their futuristic vision for a port city named Sant'Isidoro, situated on Brazil's eastern coast. Their model incorporated advanced solutions for food delivery and waste minimization utilizing an innovative resource conservation system. By prioritizing environmental health, their project stood out among competitors, ultimately earning the coveted People's Choice Award, which is determined by public vote.

"Before the Future City competition, we only practiced our presentation virtually," shared participant Maya Kim, a junior at Laurel Springs. "We watched the presentation come together by presenting and practicing in person the day before. It was so cool to see it all come together."

Recognition from Leadership

The Head of School, Alyssa Tormala, expressed immense pride in the team's accomplishments, acknowledging the additional effort required to coordinate virtual and in-person collaboration. She stated, "It takes extra effort, planning, and communication to run a team this way, and I am so proud of the students, faculty, and staff for joyfully leaning into this opportunity!"

Theme of the Competition

The theme for the 2026 Future City Competition was Farm to Table, emphasizing the significance of health and reducing food waste. The Laurel Springs team seized this theme and proposed practical solutions aimed at making their futuristic city viable within the next century. Their work included studying existing methods to combat food waste and building innovative ideas upon these foundations.

About Laurel Springs School

Laurel Springs is an accredited online private school that supports students from K-12. With programs that include advanced placement and honors courses, virtual events, and a global student body, it’s recognized as one of the top online private schools in the United States. The Academy at Laurel Springs offers enriching opportunities, including collaborations and competitions like Future City. Interested families can discover more by visiting Laurel Springs' website to explore enrollment options and upcoming virtual open houses, during which they may apply for a waived registration fee.

Overall, the accomplishment of the Future City team exemplifies not only the creativity and spirit of today's youth but also the importance of fostering innovative thinking and teamwork as they prepare to address future global challenges.