VISITORS | RESIDENTS | BUSINESSES | CITY HALL | CALENDAR | A-Z SERVICES | SEARCH | HOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Second Time
The City of Pembroke Pines is Ranked
#1 in Florida  
Best Place to Raise Your Kids!

              

Views from West Pines Park in the City of Pembroke Pines.

Pembroke Pines, FL... October 13, 2010... The Results are in... According to BusinessWeek's fourth annual survey of Best Places in the United States of America to raise your Kids, the City of Pembroke Pines is ranked the Number ONE City in the State of Florida for the second time! The first recognition was given in 2008.   "Our Commission and Staff strive to make Pembroke Pines the Best community it can possibly be," said Mayor Frank C. Ortis.   "Being ranked Number One by BusinessWeek a second time let's us know we moving in the right direction for our residents. We will continue on this path for everyone's benefit."

According to Prashant Gopal of BusinessWeek winning communities were affordable, safe, and family-friendly. BusinessWeek teamed up with OnBoard Informatics, a New York-based provider of real estate analysis, to select one town and two runners-up for each of the 50 states. The selections were limited to towns that have at least 45,000 residents and a median income of between $40,000 and $125,000.  The data included school performance, number of schools, household expenditures, crime rates, air quality, job growth, family income, museums, parks, theaters, other amenities, and diversity.  Affordability, safety", and school test scores were given the greatest weight.

BusinessWeek included the following information in its on-line article:  Best Place to Raise Your Kids: Florida Pembroke Pines Nearest city: Fort Lauderdale; Population: 164,259; Median family income: $78,660; Runners-up: Sunrise, Tamarac.  Pembroke Pines, a fast-growing city about 15 miles south of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is our top Florida pick for the second straight year. The city is popular with retirees but also has plenty of young families, many of which left Miami Dade County to fill its shiny new developments during the housing boom. Among the attractions for these young families: low crime, the Pembroke Lakes Mall, and the schools, which include a charter high school. 

Article and Video Link:  http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/11/1117_best_places_to_raise_kids/10.htm

Pembroke Pines Additional Sources of Pride...      

  •     2002 - Charter Schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

  •     2002 - Finalist - Harvard University Innovations In American Government

  •     2004 - National Civic League's All-America City Award – Academic Village, Senior Center & Youth Programs

  •     2004 - Best Integrated City by the Associated Press

  •     2004 - Florida League of Cities' Innovations Showcase Award – Pembroke Pines Charter School System

  •     2004 - Government Finance Officers Association - Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to Pembroke Pines
        Charter School System for FY beginning July 1, 2004

  •     2005 - US Conference of Mayors' Outstanding Achievement Award – Pembroke Pines Charter School System

  •     2005 - Florida Recreation & Parks Association - Excellence Award for Category II cities (150,000-199,000)

  •     2005 - America's Promise, the Alliance for Youth 100 Best Communities Award for Young People

  •     2006 - Named to Money/CNN listing of "Best Places to Live" in America (one of only four Florida communities)

  •     2006 - Florida League of Cities - City of Excellence Award, Mayor of the Year, City Spirit Award (Senior Affordable
        Housing & Services), City Finance Official of the Year

  •     2007 - Pembroke Pines Charter School System - Charter School of the Year by the Center for Education Reform

  •     2007 - Florida League of Cities - City Employee of the Year, Aner Gonzalez

  •     2007 - National League of Cities - Municipal Excellence Silver Award - Senior Solutions: Comprehensive Services &
        Affordable Housing for Seniors

  •     2007 - Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department -   NatureScape Emerald
        Special Achievement Award

  •     2008 - BusinessWeek's Best Places in the United States to Raise Your Kids - Ranked #1 in Florida, based on school
        performance; number of schools; household expenditures; crime rates; air quality; job growth; family income;
        museums, parks, theaters, and other amenities; and diversity

  •     2009 - Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools - Gold Seal of Excellence - Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary
        School West Campus - for student academic achievement and meeting rigorous and comprehensive operations
        criteria, including parent involvement, staff retention, compliance, financial management and governing board
        performance.

  •     2009 - Broward County Disability Awareness Award - Miracle League Baseball Field & Program.  Children and young
        adults with disabilities play baseball, regardless of their abilities, at the Price Park Miracle League Field.  The
        synthetic turf field accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices and Price Park has adapted restrooms and
        fencing.

  •     2009 - U.S. Department of Education - Blue Ribbon School designation, awarded to Pembroke Pines Charter Middle
        School.  For 27 years, Blue Ribbon Schools have been recognized for their stellar test scores and large strides in the
        classroom.

  •     2010 - Florida Communities for a Lifetime - a statewide initiative that assists Florida cities, towns and counties in
        planning and implementing improvements that benefit their residents, youthful or elder. The Communities for a
        Lifetime Bureau is comprised of the following focus areas: Housing, Transportation, Employment, Health and
        Wellness, Volunteerism, and Intergenerational Programs.

  •     2010 - BusinessWeek's Best Places in the United States to Raise Your Kids - Ranked #1 in Florida, based on school
        performance; number of schools; household expenditures; crime rates; air quality; job growth; family income;
        museums, parks, theaters, and other amenities; and diversity.


 

A nationally designated All-America City, Pembroke Pines is a hub of traditional and international flavor, ranging from its residents and businesses to its food and shopping. Easily accessed from I-95, the Florida Turnpike, I-75 and The Palmetto Expressway in South Broward County, Pembroke Pines enjoys a reputation as an innovative and progressive community which boasts a strong commitment to education, business, and the environment. 

###