Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announced that Manatee Bay Elementary School and Pembroke Pines Elementary School have received the 2025 National Unified Champion Schools® Banner, a prestigious honor from Special Olympics recognizing schools that exemplify the highest standards of inclusion, unity, and whole-school engagement.
The award celebrates campuses that create welcoming environments where all students feel respected and empowered. To qualify, schools must meet 10 national standards of excellence set by Special Olympics, including Unified Sports programs, inclusive student leadership opportunities, schoolwide engagement activities, and a sustainable culture of inclusion.
“Creating inclusive school environments where all students feel welcome, respected and empowered is at the heart of the Unified Champion Schools initiative,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. “We congratulate Manatee Bay Elementary and Pembroke Pines Elementary for earning this prestigious recognition and thank Special Olympics for helping us promote an environment of unity, respect and belonging.”
With this distinction, the two Broward schools join an elite group nationwide recognized for advancing social inclusion through education and sports.
