The awards are presented in five categories: for outstanding school development or educational reform, outstanding teaching, development projects, vocational and technical education, and a special encouragement award.

The School Band of Vesturbær and Miðbær received the award for outstanding school development or educational reform

For many years, the band has provided a creative space for children interested in music to work together in music-making and performance. Its work is characterised by ambition and joy, and the band has organised numerous memorable projects in collaboration with cultural institutions and the wider community.
Read more at skolathroun.is/skolahljomsveit-vesturbaejar-og-midbaejar

Örvar Rafn Hlíðdal, physical education teacher at Flóaskóli, received the award for outstanding teaching

Örvar Rafn is known for reaching every student, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering teamwork and positive values in the school community. Under his leadership, Flóaskóli has achieved remarkable success in the Skólahreysti fitness competition.
Read more at skolathroun.is/orvar-rafn-hliddal

The project Small Steps on the Path to Literacy, a collaboration between Grænuvellir Preschool and Borgarhólsskóli in Húsavík, received the award for outstanding development project

The project strengthens language development and literacy through increased cooperation between school levels and parent education. An innovative element of the project is the partnership with physiotherapists, who assess children’s fine motor skills and support targeted training.
Read more at skolathroun.is/litil-skref-i-leid-til-laesis

The Upper Secondary School in Vestmannaeyjar received the award for outstanding work in vocational and technical education

The school has developed project-based and industry-connected learning in metal and marine engineering, strengthening links between education and the labour market and making studies more practical and relevant for students.
Read more at skolathroun.is/framhaldsskolinn-i-vestmannaeyjum

Háaleitisskóli in Reykjanesbær received the 2025 Encouragement Award

Around seven out of ten students at the school have a foreign background, and about 30 languages are spoken there. The staff have succeeded in creating a positive school culture where multiculturalism is valued as a strength. Cooperation with parents is a key focus, and the school places emphasis on supporting all family members in learning and integration.
Read more at skolathroun.is/hvatningarverdlaun-2025

The Icelandic Education Awards are a joint initiative of the Office of the President of Iceland, the Ministry of Education and Children, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Icelandic Educational Research Association, Grunnur – the Association of Directors of Education and School Services, the Faculty of Education at the University of Akureyri, the Icelandic Teachers’ Union, the Iceland University of the Arts, the Directorate of Education and School Services, the School of Education at the University of Iceland, the School Development Centre at the University of Akureyri, the Association of Icelandic Municipalities, the Icelandic Association for School Development, the Department of Education and Youth of the City of Reykjavík, and the Federation of Icelandic Industries.

The Ministry of Education and Children, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Federation of Icelandic Industries provide financial support for the awards.

The Directorate of Education and School Services plays an active role in preparing and implementing the Icelandic Education Awards and celebrates the diverse and ambitious work being carried out in Icelandic schools and educational institutions.