More than 380,000 learners worldwide raced to expand their vocabularies and earn top spots in their divisions, states and regions
SAN MATEO, Calif., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lament, assonance, terra cotta. These are just a few of the 4.6 million words learners mastered in Vocabulary.com‘s Spring 2025 Vocabulary Bowl, the world’s largest academic contest. But it’s not just about racking up points—it’s about the thrill of competition, the satisfaction of real progress and the reading and writing skills that last long after the season ends. This spring, more than 380,000 learners and 30,000 teachers from 109 countries joined the action, proving that words have the power to connect and inspire.
A global showdown: Only 5% of schools earned titles—meaning this season’s winners are in a word class of their own. In the U.S., schools competed in three divisions based on enrollment size: Division I (1,000+ students), Division II (500-999 students) and Division III (up to 499 students). International schools, teachers and individual learners also had their own brackets.
This season brought its share of surprises—a fresh champion claimed the top spot, a cross-country rivalry came down to the wire and Bulgaria and South Korea broke into the international top 10 for the first time.
Out of the woodwork (or should we say, Woodland?): In just its second season, Woodland Middle School (TN) stormed to victory, unseating defending champion Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (FL) by more than 14,000 words for the overall highest score from any competitor. Although Saint Thomas Aquinas missed the overall crown, it held firm in Division I—fending off a fierce challenge from nine-time winner Etiwanda High School (CA) to keep its high school title.
Streaks stayed strong across the board. DuBois Area High School (PA) clinched its second Division II high school win, Muscatel Middle School (CA) repeated in its Division III category and Buckingham Collegiate Academy (CA) extended its dynasty with a seventh consecutive Division III high school championship. And Tennessee wasn’t done: Fred J Page Middle School broke through to claim the Division I middle school crown—just one season after earning top rookie honors.
Outside of the United States, Nan Hua Primary School in Singapore stole the spotlight: It captured the top international spot and dominated the individual and teacher rankings, securing four of the top 10 in both categories.
The Division winners for the Spring 2025 Season are (an asterisk indicates the school also had a top 10 teacher):
Division I (1,000 students or more):
Division II (500-999 students):
Division III (up to 499 students):
U.S. state and territory champions are listed below, with the top high school listed first, followed by the leading middle or elementary school:
Alabama: Riverchase Career Center (RC3), Crossville Middle School
Alaska: Minto School, Anchor Lutheran School
Arizona: Red Mountain High School, Sierra Verde STEAM Academy
Arkansas: Central High School, Pea Ridge Junior High School
California: Etiwanda High School*, Muscatel Middle School
Colorado: Boulder High School, Westview Middle School
Connecticut: Plainville High School, Michael F. Wallace Middle School
Delaware: Thomas McKean High School, Saint John the Beloved School
District of Columbia: Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Inspired Teaching Demo School
Florida: Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Saint Anthony School
Georgia: Johnson County High School, Kittredge Magnet School
Guam: Harvest Christian Academy
Hawaii: Kalani High School, Kaimuki Middle School
Idaho: Capital High School, Saint Joseph’s School
Illinois: Oak Lawn Community High School, Peotone Junior High School
Indiana: Manchester Junior Senior High School, East Central Middle School
Iowa: Maple Valley Anthon Oto High School, Sacred Heart School
Kansas: Lincoln Junior Senior High School, Cheney Middle School
Kentucky: Boyle County High School, Crittenden County Middle School
Louisiana: Archbishop Chapelle High School, Church Point Middle School
Maine: Sacopee Valley High School, Wells Junior High School
Maryland: Chesapeake Math & It PC – N High School*, North Salisbury Elementary School
Massachusetts: Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Shady Hill School
Michigan: Mayville High School, Mayville Middle School
Minnesota: Luverne High School, Minnetonka Middle School West
Mississippi: Jackson Academy, McLain Attendance Center
Missouri: Sarcoxie Middle High School, Hartville Middle School
Montana: Lincoln County High School, Ben Steele Middle School
Nebraska: Southwest Junior Senior High School, Johnson Crossing Academic Center
Nevada: Sig Rogich Middle School
New Hampshire: Londonderry High School, Plymouth Elementary School
New Jersey: Hoboken High School*, Manalapan – Englishtown Middle School
New Mexico: San Juan College High School*, Early College High School
New York: James Madison High School, Great Neck North Middle School
North Carolina: Southern Alamance High School, Morehead City Middle School
North Dakota: Hatton Eileson High School, Kindred Elementary School
Ohio: Walnut Hills High School, Wheelersburg Middle School
Oklahoma: Coweta High School, Owasso Sixth Grade Center
Oregon: Marist Catholic High School, Nyssa Middle School
Pennsylvania: DuBois Area High School, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander School
Rhode Island: Classical High School, Hugh B Bain Middle School
South Carolina: Catawba Ridge High School, R P Dawkins Middle School
South Dakota: Redfield School, Harrisburg North Middle School
Tennessee: Science Hill High School, Woodland Middle School
Texas: Arp High School*, Hogg Middle School
Utah: Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Wasatch Junior High School
Vermont: Enosburg Falls Middle High School, Christ the King School
Virginia: St. Anne’s – Belfield School, Lakeview Elementary School
Washington: Moses Lake Christian Academy*, Alki Middle School
West Virginia: Scott High School, John Adams Middle School
Wisconsin: Harold S Vincent High School, Oak Creek East Middle School
Wyoming: Riverside Middle High School, Lyman Intermediate School
The Canadian Provincial Winners are:
The international division ranks schools based solely on total words mastered—no size brackets.
The International (non-US/Canada) Winners are:
Nan Hua Primary School – Singapore
One Target Education – Singapore
École Jeannine Manuel – France
Raffles Institution – Singapore
Shanghai SMIC Private School – China
The Galaxy School – India
The American College of Sofia – Bulgaria
Menntaskólinn á Tröllaskaga – Iceland
Fayston Preparatory – South Korea
Guam Department of Education: Archdiocese of Agana – Guam
This season also celebrated standout newcomers, proving that first-timers can go toe-to-toe with seasoned competitors.
The Top Rookie Schools are:
Oak Creek West Middle School – Wisconsin
Moses Lake Christian Academy – Washington
Michael F. Wallace Middle School – Connecticut
Benjamin Banneker Academic High School – District of Columbia
Montgomery Upper Middle School – New Jersey
“The Vocabulary Bowl is proof that words matter—not just in school, but in how students make sense of the world and express who they are,” said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning, Vocabulary.com’s parent company. “It’s incredible to see so many learners worldwide challenge themselves, grow their confidence and discover just how far a strong vocabulary can take them.”
Learning that sticks The Vocabulary Bowl turns vocabulary building into a game, making it fun and rewarding for learners of all ages and abilities. Students master words at their own pace using Vocabulary.com’s adaptive technology, earning points for themselves and their schools. Teachers rally their classes by celebrating top scorers and team wins. Every word learned helps develop the reading, writing and communication skills students need for school and beyond.
For details on how to participate in the Fall 2025 season, visit https://www.vocabulary.com/bowl/rules.
About Vocabulary.com Founded in 2010, Vocabulary.com transforms vocabulary instruction, teaching students the words they need to know to achieve more in school and life. The adaptive platform personalizes learning by identifying each student’s vocabulary needs and creating individualized learning plans. With over 17,000 curated resources aligned with textbooks, novels and English language learner content, Vocabulary.com seamlessly integrates into any curriculum. Gamified features, including the Vocabulary Bowl, engage and motivate students through fun, interactive competitions. To date, 4 million learners have answered 8 billion questions and mastered 400 million words on Vocabulary.com. Vocabulary.com joined the IXL Learning family in 2020.
Press ContactJoslyn Chesson
IXL Learning
[email protected]
SOURCE IXL Learning
