CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Thrive Academy has been recognized by Special Olympics Florida as a National Banner Unified Champion School, the highest honor within the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program.
The designation celebrates schools that have built inclusive environments where students with and without intellectual disabilities learn, lead and grow together. National Banner status is awarded to schools that meet rigorous national standards across inclusive youth sports, whole-school engagement and youth leadership opportunities.
“Earning National Banner status is a reflection of the heart of our entire school community,” said Kim Verblaauw, principal of Thrive Academy. “Our students have shown what’s possible when everyone is given the chance to belong, compete and lead together. This recognition belongs to every student, teacher and family who helped build a culture of inclusion here at Thrive.”
Thrive Academy launched a Special Olympics bowling team and basketball team, as well as a Unified basketball team in partnership with Fort Myers High School. The school also hosted inclusive pep rallies that brought the whole school community together in celebration of every student.
The sports programs were made possible through the leadership of Coach Garret Copeland, ESE teacher and Special Olympics Coordinator at Fort Myers High School, and the support of the Fort Myers Green Wave Unified Club. Copeland received the Family Initiative Partner Award at Family Initiative’s 2026 Autism Acceptance Awards Gala, recognized for the exceptional impact of his work in the field of autism.
Special Olympics Florida will present the school with its National Banner at a celebration event. The event will recognize the students, staff and families who helped make this achievement possible.
“Sports give our students so much more than a game to play,” said David Brown, president and co-founder of Family Initiative.
“Through Unified sports, they build confidence, learn to communicate and work as a team, and form friendships that carry into every part of their lives. Watching Thrive Academy’s students grow through these programs is exactly why this work matters,” Brown said.
Thrive Academy is a private specialty school serving students with autism in Cape Coral. The school is dedicated to providing an individualized, inclusive education that supports each student’s academic, social and personal growth.