Bengaluru, May 20, 2026 – Demonstrating strong financial acumen, students of Greenwood High International School earned national recognition at the National Finance Olympiad, securing top ranks at the competition, with the institution also being awarded the prestigious “School of the Year, NFO 2025–2026” trophy. Representing Greenwood High, 62 students from Grades 5 to 11 participated in the Olympiad, showcasing exceptional dedication and academic capability. Among the top achievers, Rajvika Sawa of Grade 5 secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 and received a Certificate for Outstanding Performance, while Atharva Tandon of Grade 7 secured AIR 8 nationally.

The National Finance Olympiad (NFO) is a nationwide platform designed to improve understanding of money, strengthen analytical concepts, and develop improved comprehension of budgeting, banking, investments, financial planning, and entrepreneurship. The Olympiad saw participation from 500+ schools across the nation, emerging as a notable platform for the evaluation of financial literacy among students with age-appropriate benchmarking and evaluation categories.

In addition to the national rankings, 23 Greenwood High students earned Certificates of National Excellence amongst the top 100 ranks, reflecting the school’s strong culture of academic rigor and competitive learning. Every participating student was also recognised for their effort, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit throughout the Olympiad. The performances highlighted the significance of analytical thinking and structured problem-solving among young learners navigating real-world financial contexts through early exposure.

Commenting on this noteworthy achievement, Greenwood High Managing Trustee, Mrs. Niru Agarwal said, “We are immensely proud of the exceptional talent, determination, and academic excellence displayed on the national stage by our students. We congratulate the rank holders Rajvika and Atharva on their meritorious achievement and appreciate all the students awarded for their exceptional performances. The competition has provided us with a valuable platform to emphasise our culture of holistic development”.

The recognition emphasizes the institution’s commitment to experiential learning and developing practical competencies through national-level competitive platforms, while strengthening confidence and discipline among students. By encouraging participation at the National level academic platforms, the institution continues to create opportunities for students to challenge themselves beyond classroom learning and gain exposure to broader competitive environments.

For students between the ages of nine and nineteen, F1® in Schools is the only global multidisciplinary competition that requires the participants to design and manufacture a miniature “car” out of the official F1 Model Block using CAD/CAM design tools in groups of 3–6 students, which are launched using CO2 canisters, making the aerodynamics of the car very important. The competition was started in the UK in 1999 with the intention of giving young people a friendly introduction to the engineering discipline. Teams compete in regional and national championships, with the best teams moving on to the World championships. Over 54 participating nations engage in these events, which are frequently conducted in conjunction with a Formula One Grand Prix.

A member of the team is required to launch the car by reacting to the 5 lights going out and pressing a trigger, just like in F1, racing it across a 25m drag strip. Apart from the car itself, the competition required the team to work on aspects such as the pit display, sponsorship management, digital media and marketing, project management, communication and presentation, helping them develop critical skills like teamwork, leadership, creative problem-solving, project management, and effective communication.

Apart from their outstanding performance in the competition, the team demonstrated ingenuity and leadership qualities by successfully raising over ₹1.4 lakhs through sponsorships to cover their participation costs.

“Our students’ display of their abilities on such a prominent stage makes us extremely proud,” stated Ms. Niru Agarwal, Managing Trustee of Greenwood High International School. “In this esteemed competition, their perseverance, inventiveness, and hard work were evident. Most amazingly, it is incredibly satisfying to watch them take up the challenge and use their expertise in this intensely competitive environment. Their self-confidence has grown as a result, and others are motivated to aim higher by them.”

“One key takeaway from our participation is the necessity for increased preparation time. Elements such as pit display, sponsorship management, and social media marketing hold significant importance in the competition and contribute to the final scores. These areas demand a meticulously planned strategy coupled with precise execution, both of which necessitate considerable time investment.” expressed the students from the team – Smooth Operators.

F1® in Schools India Nationals competition provided a great opportunity to use the information gained in STEM topics. Looking ahead, Greenwood High encourages students to be innovative and work together while supporting these bright minds as they follow their interest for science and engineering in the years to come.