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!
Start your inclusion journey with the interactive activity: inclusion tiles
Importance of School Climate: An explanation of the positive effects of Unified Champion 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 600 official Unified Champion Schools across the state!
*blue indicates counties with Unified Champion Schools programming
Unified Champion Schools provide a climate that is:
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Free from bullying and exclusion
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Combats stereotypes and negative attitudes
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Eliminates hurtful language
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Promotes healthy activity and interactions
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Is welcoming and values the engagement of all students
