ShanghaiMay 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the recently concluded 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship, five students from Shanghai Concordia International School (Concordia) secured third place globally in the VEX V5 Skills Challenge, setting a new record for the school’s robotics program.
Each year, only about 6% of eligible high school VEX V5 teams worldwide earn the right to compete on the stage of the World Championship, the pinnacle of VEX robotics competitions. The Concordia team not only qualified but also ranked among the global top three.
At the 2026 VEX World Championship, Concordia students (Jessica J, John D, Ethan H, Mak T, Yolanda L) pose with judges
This achievement came from months of relentless, meticulous effort: building, testing, coding, driving, adjusting parts, and rebuilding again and again. Just weeks before heading to St. Louis for the World Championship, the team had won the APAC competition, leaving little time for preparation. Yet at the World Championship, the students rose to the occasion, competing against the most seasoned robotics teams from around the world and holding their own.
The significance of the World Championship goes far beyond a scorecard. In the pit area, students exchanged ideas with teams from different countries and schools — studying each other’s robot chassis designs, ball-collection systems, autonomous code logic, and competition strategies. Teams asked questions and generously shared their own insights.
Behind all this brilliance is a group of dedicated Concordia teachers. They built a comprehensive K-12 development system from the ground up, guiding students through rounds of design, testing, and refinement. It is their support that enabled the children to stand confidently on the world stage and shine. This achievement is a victory on the competition floor, a testament to the steady progress of Concordia’s robotics program, and a badge of honor for those who worked behind the scenes.