The International Space Academy is an internationally award-winning high school program co-sponsored by La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities and JPL. This opportunity is a space entreprenuerial program where student teams form start-up companies and compete on challenges spanning from design of launchers and langers to a stock market simulation and coding a rover. In addition, La Cañada students connect with students in our sister city of Villanueva de la Cañada in a collaboration that enhances the experience. In 2020, the program received an award from Sister Cities International for Innovation in Education.

Space Academy is open to students in grades 11-12 who attend any of the four local high schools in La Cañada Flintridge. It meets for a 10-week period from September through November on Fridays after school at JPL. In addition, students will need to meet on their own and collaborate with students in Spain. Accepted applicants are required to pay a $200 program fee.

Applicants must complete a brief online application, which will be open and available on this website between August 8-September 3, 2025. Selected participants will be notified on or before September 8, 2025 if they are chosen to join this year’s program. Accepted students will be required to become student members of LCF Sister Cities.

Every summer a select group of local high school students are invited to travel internationally and live with a Spanish family. This immersion in another culture offers students the opportunity to build relationship as a family member, rather than as a tourist or a guest.

Local high school and college students are selected to represent the City of La Cañada Flintridge at the International or California Youth Leadership Summits. These events draw over 3,000 participants from around the globe, encouraging discussion of current events, negotiation, and problem-solving.