What is a Unified Champion School?

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education has partnered with Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® programming in creating communities of inclusion and shaping attitudes on school campuses across the United States, reaching more than 10,000 schools in 2024. With a focus on Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement activities, students with and without IDD at every grade level become agents of change, build friendships, and develop inclusive mindsets.

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A young man writing notes on a whiteboard with a marker.

3,884,837

Unified Sports Experiences

1,751,326

Youth Leadership experiences

15,698,223

Whole School Engagement Experiences

Bring UCS to Your Community

A teacher and students engaged in an Inclusion Tiles game, interacting in a lively classroom setting.

Inclusion Tiles

 A girl smiles brightly while standing on a lush green soccer field.

Unified Beginnings

 Four girls laughing together on a running track, enjoying a moment of friendship and fun outdoors.

Contact State Program

UCS For Media

See how UCS is making an impact across the country and learn how to amplify our youth voices!

Newsroom Inquire
Two smiling students collaborate on a laptop, engaged in their work and enjoying the learning experience together.

By the Numbers

See the measurable impact UCS is making across the country.

Case Studies

Hear from the educators, students, and parents benefiting from UCS programs.

Four students smiling and posing together in front of a sports net.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Let us know how we can help you get involved.

Connect

The contents of this Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® resource were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Special Olympics is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Special Olympics Identification Number (EIN) is 52-0889518.