Unified Champion School

student receiving award

What is a National Unified Champion School?

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.

The primary activities within these standards include: Special Olympics Unified Sports® (where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. Banner Unified Champion Schools should also be able to demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.

The expectation of this recognition is that the 10 standards are continuously being met, year after year. To ensure this sustainability, schools reapply for banner status every 4 years.

The National Recognition Program application cycle is currently closed. The next cycle will open in Spring 2024.

During the application review process, school applications will be reviewed in two stages: first by state Program staff and then by a national Certifying Body of key educational leaders. Learn more about the Certifying Body members.

EUYLC Logo

At Eastern High School, our Unified Youth Leadership Committee is a combination of peer aids, MSD students, and teachers. The committee's main goal is to get the entire school involved with our Unified events. They coordinate fundraisers and events and then work to promote everything to the general student population. 

Some of the things the EUYLC do:

  • Peer tutoring: students help other students with assignments in class. 

  • Unity Day: This is a day when we, as a school, can come together in one giant message of hope and support. 

  • Host and run the Unified Special Olympics

  • Fundraising: The committee does a variety of fundraisers through the year. One has included the committee making holiday ornaments and celling them during lunch.