An inclusive campus: Hilo High among Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools

Special Olympics Hawaii announced that Hilo High School is among three schools statewide to receive national banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities.

Hilo High, Farrington High on Oahu and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School on Kauai were honored as a result of meeting national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect.

A banner was presented to the school signifying its distinguished status.

More than 46 schools participate in Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools programs statewide, joining more than 5,000 schools across the country engaged in the program. Special Olympics has a global goal of creating 10,000 Unified Champion Schools by 2020.

The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools model is supported by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education.

The model has been proven, through research, to be an effective and replicable means to providing students with and without disabilities the opportunity to form positive social relationships and promote a socially inclusive school climate.