Team Success honors Class of 2026’s academic achievements
Team Success: A School of Excellence recently honored the Class of 2026 as seniors graduated from one of the longest-tenured charter schools in Florida.
In a ceremony hosted at State College of Florida’s campus in Bradenton, the highly rated charter school’s faculty, staff, students and families gathered in celebration of its sixth graduating class. Authorized by the School District of Manatee County to serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade, Team Success’ mission is to build an academic foundation that allows all students to achieve their highest potential, empower resilient individuals and celebrate academic successes.
“We are tremendously proud of our graduates for finding their passions, overcoming adversity and crossing the finish line into the next step of their future,” said Fred Spence, founder of Team Success. “When students enter our campus, whether it’s as a senior in high school or a kindergartener, our faculty and staff have one shared goal in mind: provide students with the tools they need to thrive in their futures.”
The commencement ceremony featured Team Success alumni and current Florida A & M University law student Stefanny Carranza-Perkins, who returned to inspire the graduating class with her journey and accomplishments. Team Success also recognized its valued partners at The Coca-Cola Company, whose generous donation of three laptops provided valuable technology resources for students.
The ceremony also recognized Team Success’ standout students through award presentations and scholarship announcements:
• Valedictorian and Team Success Award: Mauro Rodriguez-Hernandez. The Team Success Award recognizes an outstanding student that has shown consistent academic growth, excellence in character, disposition and willingness, becoming an example of success through discipline and commitment. Rodriguez-Hernandez will continue his education at SCF.
• Excellence in Social Studies Award: Maria Landaverde-Maldonado. She was one of three students in Manatee County who received a $3,000 scholarship from the Manatee Education Foundation, courtesy of Suncoast Credit Union. She has been with Team Success since 2018 and will continue her education at Manatee Technical College.
• Leadership Award: Wilder Alvarenga. A student at Team Success since 2013, Alvarenga graduated with high honors and will continue to study at SCF.
• Community Service Award: Kevyn De Leon-Pedro. He has been a student at Team Success since 2015 and will continue his education at SCF. He graduated with high honors and held the highest GPA in science.
Graduate Jasmin Castellanos-Villalobos was awarded a $7,500 scholarship from SCF and was a recipient of a laptop from Coca-Cola. Team Success was recently named a Coke Florida School, a partnership that provides support to the charter school and its students through backpack donations, technology initiatives and youth development opportunities. The charter school’s administration team awarded the James Clarence “JC” Sims Jr. Scholarship to a graduating senior, helping to further their educational journey and celebrate the lasting impact of Sims Jr.’s legacy.
Of the 47 students in Team Success’ graduating class, 37 will pursue a college degree.
Team Success is currently enrolling students at all grade levels for the 2026-27 school year. Spots are limited. To begin the enrollment process, visit TeamSuccessSchools.org or call 941-714-7260 (K-5 campus) or 941-444-4333 (6-12 campus) to request an application.
About Team Success
Team Success: A School of Excellence is a highly rated charter school authorized by the School District of Manatee County to serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The school’s mission is to build an academic foundation that allows all students to achieve their highest potential, empower resilient individuals, celebrate academic successes and enable students to thrive in their future. Established in 1997 as the Police Athletic League Academy Charter School, Team Success is among the longest tenured charter schools in Florida and operates a K-5 campus in Bradenton along with its second 6-12 middle and high school campus located next to the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The school’s core values include community, integrity, success, growth, safety, collaboration, inspiration and reliance. For more information or to register, please visit TeamSuccessSchools.org.
