For 20 years, Glades Middle School has been the heart of western Miramar. It is a place where academic excellence, innovation, leadership, and community come together to help students thrive during one of the most important stages of their lives: middle school.

Now, our school, and everything it represents, is at risk of being closed and converted into a technical college.

This proposal would not only erase a cornerstone of our community but also take away vital educational opportunities and experiences that middle school students need and deserve.

Glades Middle Is More Than a School — It’s a Family
Glades is an A-rated school built on pride, achievement, and heart. Every day, our teachers and staff create a learning environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their potential. We offer programs that prepare students for both high school and the real world, including:

• Established Cambridge Academic Program
• Gifted and Advanced Academics track
• Verizon Innovative Learning Lab, where students explore technology, coding, and robotics
• High school credit courses that give students a head start on their academic journey
• Award-winning Debate, NJHS, and Peer Counseling programs that teach leadership, confidence, and civic responsibility
• Thriving sports programs that promote teamwork, fitness, and school spirit

Beyond academics, Glades is home to beloved community traditions like the Harvest Drive and Winter Wonderland, which bring families together and provide food, joy, and hope to hundreds of local families each year.

A Strong PTSA and Community Partnership
One of Glades Middle’s greatest strengths is its exceptional PTSA, past and present.

Our PTSA works hand in hand with teachers and administrators to ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and celebrated. Through their tireless volunteerism and fundraising, they provide incentives, events, and enrichment activities that enhance our students’ educational experience and strengthen the bond between home and school.

From hosting student recognition programs and family nights to funding classroom resources and supporting teacher initiatives, our PTSA has been a steadfast partner in every success our school has achieved.

Their involvement is more than support, it’s evidence of the deep connection between Glades Middle and the families we serve. It’s what community looks like in action.

Why Closing Glades Hurts Our Students
The plan to send Glades students to nearby K–8 schools would have far-reaching and lasting consequences.

Loss of middle school identity: Adolescents need an environment designed specifically for their academic, social, and emotional development, not one shared with much younger elementary students.

Limited sports and electives: K–8 schools lack the dedicated facilities for athletics, performing arts, and advanced labs that middle school students benefit from.

Reduced leadership opportunities: Programs like NJHS, Debate, and Student Government thrive in middle schools, where students have room to lead and grow.

Community disruption: Glades has long served as a safe, unifying hub for local families, a place where generations have built pride, friendships, and memories.

Closing Glades would not only disrupt students’ lives but also weaken the strong sense of community that has defined this area for decades.

A Technical College Does Not Belong in a Quiet Suburban Neighborhood
The proposal to convert Glades Middle School into a technical college poses serious concerns for the surrounding community.

Glades is nestled in a peaceful, residential area surrounded by homes and families. Replacing a neighborhood middle school with an adult technical facility would bring increased traffic, parking congestion, and safety concerns, fundamentally altering the quiet character of the community.

Moreover, the presence of a technical college in this setting would remove an essential anchor for young families, making the neighborhood less appealing for those seeking a place where their children can grow up and attend a trusted local school.

Glades was built to serve children and families, not adult students commuting from across the county. This community deserves to keep its school, not lose it to a plan that disregards the needs and voices of those who call this neighborhood home.

A Call to the Broward County School Board
We understand that the district faces challenges, but closing a successful, innovative, and community-centered middle school to make way for a technical college is not the solution.

We urge Broward County Public Schools to listen to the families, educators, and residents who have built their lives around Glades Middle School.
We are not opposed to innovation, but we believe that progress should never come at the expense of children.

Keep Glades open. Protect our school, our students, and our community.

Join Us!
Please sign and share this petition to show your support for keeping Glades Middle School open and preserving our neighborhood’s integrity.
Every signature sends a message that our children deserve a dedicated middle school, not fewer opportunities.

Together, we can ensure that Glades continues to be a place where students learn, lead, and shine.

#SaveGladesMiddle #CougarPride