Unified Champion Schools
PLAY UNIFIED. LEARN UNIFIED.
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is an opportunity for schools pre-K through university level to intentionally promote meaningful social inclusion. This is accomplished by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. There are currently over 7,600 Unified Champion Schools in 49 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Special Olympics Kansas UCS program is in it’s 13th year and is active on nearly 50 campuses state-wide.
Ready to register?
Already a unified champion School?
Learn More About Unified Champion Schools
Who can become a unified champion school?
Any school can become a Unified Champion School! If you’re ready to take the leap, we’ll work with you to make it happen. Complete the interest form at the button below and an SOKS staff member will reach out to you. If you would like to talk to an SOKS staff member about your school joining and potential grant funding available, please contact Caitlin Pierce at piercec@soks.org or 913-236-9290
Public Schools
Private Schools
Charter Schools
Pre-k Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
College/Uni
Or any school!
IMPACT OF UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS
Creates a more socially inclusive school climate and raises awareness about students with ID (95%).
Increases opportunities for students with and without ID to work together (94%).
Reduces bullying, teasing, and offensive language (94%).
Supports students who in turn have higher levels of grit, receive better grades, and are more empathetic and compassionate.
Increases social interaction which leads students to have more positive perceptions of their school’s inclusive climate.
Unifies students, helping them to learn how their emotions can affect others, how to be patient, and stand up for what they believe in.
COMPONENTS OF UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS
UNIFIED SPORTS
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive program which combines individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and individuals without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competitions. Athletes and partners compete alongside one another, each in a meaningful and integral role.
INCLUSIVE YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Students with and without intellectual disabilities working together to lead and plan advocacy, awareness, and other Special Olympics and related inclusive activities throughout the school year.
WHOLE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT
Awareness and education activities that promote inclusion and reach the majority of the school population.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
Ready to get involved? Register your school here. We will work with you directly to help become a unified champion school!
PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR 2024.
Jump in! We have events happening year round, and are always excited about new volunteers. See our upcoming volunteer events, and how you can help.
CURRENT UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS
Blue | High Schools
GREEN | MIDDLE SCHOOLS
RED | ELEMENTARy
PURPLE | COLLEGE
For information on the primary UCS contact at a school, please contact us at unified@soks.org.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS KANSAS UCS BANNER SCHOOLS
AND OUR PARTNERS
STILL NEED HELP?
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
