Ridgefield Academy students are proving that a love of language can lead to national success. Several RA teams earned Highest Honors in the 39th annual WordMasters Challenge™, a prestigious national vocabulary competition that engages nearly 125,000 students each year.

Leading the way, Ridgefield Academy’s sixth-grade team delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 186 out of 200 points in the first of three meets and finishing second in the nation. Strong showings followed across multiple grade levels: the seventh-grade team earned 177 points and the eighth-grade team posted 178 points, with both teams placing sixth nationwide, while the fourth-grade team secured an impressive ninth-place finish with a score of 169.

Competing in the highly competitive Blue Division, two RA sixth graders—Catherine F. and Charlotte M.—achieved perfect scores of 20, an accomplishment matched by only 10 sixth graders nationwide. Additional standout performances came from Ethan A. (Grade 4); Brayden M. (Grade 5); Sam I., Emme L., and William R. (Grade 6); Max B., Minho C., and Samson G. (Grade 7); and Olivia B., Rishabh K., Adam O., and Ryan S. (Grade 8). Students prepared for the Challenge under the guidance of Stacy Hynes (Grade 4), Jenna Rubin (Grades 5–6), and Patricia Carrington (Grades 7–8).

The WordMasters Challenge™ goes far beyond memorizing vocabulary. Students grapple with sophisticated, above-grade-level words and apply them to complex analogies that require both analytical precision and creative, metaphorical thinking. Designed specifically for students in grades three through eight, the program offers a rigorous and engaging experience for learners who thrive on intellectual challenge and enjoy solving logical puzzles.

Administered by a New Jersey–based educational organization committed to fostering academic excellence, the WordMasters Challenge™ continues to inspire high achievement in schools nationwide. Learn more at www.wordmasterschallenge.com.