Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program engages schools to create climates of acceptance, and respect for all students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Unified Champion Schools utilize the following three pillars to work towards building a generation that welcomes everyone through opportunities on and off the playing fields.
Unified Sports in Schools
Unified Sports® in schools allows teams to be created with individuals of similar age and ability. This makes practice and competition more fun and fosters the goal of bringing people together through sport. Within a school setting, there are multiple opportunities for athletes to participate at no cost.
Unified Sports in SchoolsUnified Youth Leadership
Through collaborative school activities, students are encouraged to be agents of change. Schools are places where no students should excluded because of their degree or type of disability. Unified youth leaders pave the path for their fellow students through a variety of school-based activities.
Youth LeadershipWhole School Engagement
This important feature of creating social acceptance in school climates fosters activities that cultivate a positive school environment. It promotes leadership across generations by engaging all students, teachers, staff, and administrators. Whole School Engagement is achieved with Unified Champion Schools through numerous initiatives.
Whole School EngagementGet Started
To get your school started on the path of becoming a Unified Champion School, please contact ucs@sonj.org. You can also review the Unified School resources page for more information.