Unified Champion Schools®
Play Unified. Live Unified
Unified Champion Schools (UCS) brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together through education and sports-related initiatives. This unified generation will lead the charge to reimagine and create communities in which all people are included and accepted. UCS is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through planned and implemented activities affecting system-wide change that provides a quick path to friendship and understanding.
A Special Olympics Unified Champion School® demonstrating commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence receives national banner recognition.
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.
Did you know that Hot Springs School District is a Unified School? If you are interested in being a part of this awesome organization, please reach out to Ms. Remington in the high school. We have several students participating already and are looking for more to join.