Best Buddies Florida Middle Schools

 

 

In today's middle schools, students with intellectual disabilities often learn in the same building and walk the same hallways as their non-disabled peers, but they are left out of social activities. Best Buddies Middle Schools is our newest program, designed to improve the school environment by promoting friendships between students with developmental disabilities (Buddies) and students without disabilities (Peer Buddies).

Students involved with Best Buddies Middle Schools are part of a growing movement of volunteers with and without disabilities, dedicated to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to have a friend. Socialization is one of the simplest, but most often underestimated, solutions to the pattern of exclusion people with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, have faced for decades.

In addition to the benefit of developing new friendships, Best Buddies Middle School programs also give students unique opportunities for leadership. With the support of school faculty and Best Buddies staff, students lead and direct the chapters in their schools. Currently Best Buddies Florida has 31 active Middle Schools across the state.

Florida Middle School Chapters

Broward
  
Westglades Middle School
 
Jacksonville
  
Lake Shore Middle School
Southside Middle School
  
Miami
 
Allapattah Middle School
Brownsville Middle School
Campbell Drive Middle School
Charles Drew Middle School
Citrus Grove Middle School
Cutler Ridge Middle School
Glades Middle School
Henry H. Filer Middle School
Hialeah Middle School
Horace Mann Middle School
Howard D. McMillan Middle School
MA Milam K-8 Center
North Miami Middle School
Redland Middle School
Riviera Middle School
Rockway Middle School
St. Patrick School
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
  
Orlando
 
Lake Highland Preparatory School, paired with Howard Middle School
Howard Middle School
Millenium Middle School
Peidmont Lakes Middle School
 
Tampa
 
Coleman Middle School
Corpus Christi Catholic Middle School
Espiritu Santo Catholic Middle School
Shields Middle School
Turkey Creek Middle School