BEDFORD – Five years after opening, Bedford Academy was recently recognized by the state Senate as being the only elementary school in the world to be included in the 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program.

Only 14 other schools from around the globe have been tapped to be part of the program.

“To be the only elementary school among 15 chosen worldwide and then to be recognized by our own state Senate, affirms what we set out to build in 2021,” said Dr. Roxanne Molina, owner of Bedford Academy. “Our students are doing sophisticated engineering work at an age when most children never get the chance and they are thriving.”

The recognition caps a strong season for the school’s two FIRST LEGO League Explore teams, which earned awards at a March competition. The teams were led by teacher Emily Dellisola, herself the 2026 recipient of the NSPE-NH STEM Excellence in Teaching Award.

Prior accolades include:

-Top New Hampshire and national placements in the 2026 Math Kangaroo Competition

-2025 Best of the 603 Award winner, Elementary School category