Empower students of all abilities to lead, learn, and grow through inclusive activities and meaningful connections.
Schools
Schools
Schools
Unified Champion Schools (UCS) is a strategy designed to foster an inclusive environment where students of all abilities can thrive. It promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration through school-wide activities that engage the entire community.
By empowering students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to work together, UCS creates a supportive atmosphere that enhances social-emotional learning, reduces bullying, and prepares students for a diverse world. This strategy enriches school culture and builds lifelong skills and friendships among students.
Unified Champion Schools encompass three main components: Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. These elements work together to promote social inclusion, foster respect, and create a supportive environment for all students.
Students with and without IDD working together to plan and lead advocacy, awareness, and inclusive activities throughout the school year.
Sports and fitness programs that join students with and without IDD on the same team creating an equal playing field for all.
Awareness and education activities that promote inclusion and reach all students, teachers, staff, and administrators.
STEP 1
Learn about UCS
The introduction to UCS for Educators is a 45 minute course that increases understanding of the UCS strategy. Register HERE and select “US-UnifiedSchools” as your interest area.
STEP 2
Develop a School Leadership Team
The first step to becoming a Unified Champion School is to bring together a team to lead the work. The leadership team is responsible for establishing the vision and overarching goals for the school, guide early stages of implementation and ensuring fidelity to quality through consistent monitoring and nurturing with an eye toward continuous movement.
STEP 3
Identify a School Liaison
The school liaison is the primary contact between Special Olympics Washington and the school. The liaison engages and empowers youth leaders to implement the 3 components of a Unified Champion School. They are also a part of the leadership team.
STEP 4
Create your plan
Identify what component your school is going to offer and create a plan to implement.
STEP 5
Complete the Commitment to Inclusion form
Register your school to let us know your plans for inclusion. This helps us better support your and officially recognize each school as a Special Olympics Washington Unified Champion School. Registration Link Below.
STEP 6
Implement!
Remember, Unified Champion Schools is a strategy! The Special Olympics Washington Unified Champion School’s team is here to support you and your school’s needs.
Once you have registered and completed the Commitment to Inclusion Form, your school is eligible for funding support from Special Olympics Washington. Please fill out the Funding Budget Request Form
Discover the collaborative efforts of Special Olympics Washington and our educational partners as we make inclusion a part of the school curriculum throughout Washington.
