Pembroke Pines Elementary earns Special Olympics honor. Why that’s significant
Pembroke Pines Elementary School will receive a National Unified Champion Schools banner from Special Olympics Florida on Friday, Oct. 31, recognizing the school’s commitment to inclusion, unity and student leadership.
The honor designates Pembroke Pines Elementary as a 2025 National Unified Champion School, part of a Special Olympics program that celebrates schools fostering inclusive learning environments.
To earn the banner and status, schools must meet 10 national standards of excellence developed by the Special Olympics. The standards vary across elementary, middle, high schools and college levels.
According to the Special Olympics website, a Unified Champion School promotes collaboration, engagement and respect among all students and staff. The program aims to encourage social inclusion through intentionally planned activities that create system-wide change across K-12 schools and college campuses.
Schools that receive national banner recognition are expected to maintain the 10 standards each year and must reapply every four years to keep their status.
The banner presentation will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday at Pembroke Pines Elementary School, 6700 SW Ninth St.
For the full list of Class of 2025 National Banner Unified Champion Schools across the nation, click here.
The next application cycle to apply to the national recognition program will open in spring 2026.
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM.
