Rachel Maldonado

City of Pembroke Pines

Named "one of the best cities to live in America," Pembroke Pines is a safe and desirable community to over 160,000 residents. The City of Pembroke Pines is located in South Florida and is about 15 miles south of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 20 miles north of downtown Miami. Incorporated in 1960, the City has received numerous awards including "All-America City" and is known for its commitment to the arts and culture, its outstanding schools, exciting South Florida lifestyle for all ages, cultural diversity, numerous parks and forward thinking in an ever-changing world. Though the City of Pembroke Pines is the 10th largest of Florida's 400+ municipalities, its friendly small-town feel is why so many call it home. 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. The dynamic city is also known regionally as the premier shopping destination of southwest Broward County and provides easy accessibility to primary highways and interstates, key employment centers, entertainment venues, parks, golf courses, restaurants and retail destinations. Its 28 superior parks and lush landscaping throughout neighborhoods and public places enhance the City's natural beauty and South Florida charm. Among these attractions for these young families; the city has highly rated recreational programs, as well as fire/police services and boasts the largest municipal run charter school program in the Country. In 1990, the City experienced astronomical growth that caused the city to experience critical overcrowding in local schools. The Mayor and City Commission saw an opportunity in this crisis. In 1996, Charter School legislation was passed that would help bring some relief to the overcrowding and would pave the way for Pembroke Pines to realize its vision. This A+ Charter School system currently has over 5,000 students and thousands more on the waiting list.