Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools bring youth with and without intellectual disabilities together through sports and education to create school communities of acceptance and respect. Unified Champion Schools are seen through every level of education (Pre-K/Head Start through college) and are driven by youth and staff leaders. View the Unified Champion Schools Reach Report.
Unified Champion Schools programming is designed to facilitate Special Olympics Unified Sports, provide classroom and community experiences that reduce bullying and exclusion, promote healthy activities, combat stereotypes and negative attitudes, eliminate hurtful language in schools, and engage young people in activities that lead to improved behavior and school climate.
Unified Champion Schools Toolkit: learn how to make your school an official Unified Champion School!
Unified Sports – A Student’s Guide: how students can bring Unified Sports to their schools.
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools High School Graduation Packet: how high school seniors can stay involved in Special Olympics after graduation.
Special Olympics Language Guidelines: how to speak and write about Special Olympics.
Special Olympics North Carolina has nearly 400 official Unified Champion Schools across the state.
*red indicates counties with Unified Champion Schools programming
Unified Champion Schools provide a climate that is:
-
Free from bullying and exclusion
-
Combats stereotypes and negative attitudes
-
Eliminates hurtful language
-
Promotes healthy activity and interactions
-
Is welcoming and values the engagement of all students
