Unified Champion Schools

The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, the three-component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom, and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities, and functions.

USA Games Youth Leadership Experience
SOTN is excited to announce a special opportunity for a high school age Unified pair to attend Special Olympics North America USA Games Youth Leadership Experience in Orlando in June 2022. This pair will be a part of the Team Tennessee delegation and will serve in a variety of event volunteer roles at the Games.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to apply by Monday, September 20.
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School-Based Unified Sports
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Whole School Engagement
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Additional Resources
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Beyond Sports
Grade Level and Additional Resources
Your guide to creating an inclusive, educational atmosphere that ensures every student becomes a healthy, productive and ethical individual.
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Beyond Sports
Start-Up Funds For Unified Champion Schools
It's important to understand how your Unified Champion School can be fully funded.
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Together we are creating a Unified Generation that Chooses to Include. Become a Unified Champion School Today.
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Current Tennessee Unified Champion Schools

Elementary Schools
  • Cole Elementary Cole Elementary School is a K-4 UCS elementary school in Nashville, TN. They have been involved with the UCS program since 2019.


  • East Cheatham Elementary East Cheatham Elementary School is a K-4 UCS elementary school in Ashland City, TN. They have been involved with the UCS program since 2019.
  • TN School for the Deaf The Tennessee School for the Deaf is a PK-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been part of the UCS program since 2019.


Middle Schools
  • Carter Middle School Carter Middle School is a 6-8 UCS school in Knoxville, TN. They have been involved with the UCS program since 2019.


  • Gibbs Middle School Gibbs Middle School is a 6-8 school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.
  • Gresham Middle School Gresham Middle School is a 6-8 school in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.

  • Holston Middle School Holston Middle School is a 6-8 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.
  • Oliver Middle School Oliver Middle School is a 5-8 UCS school located in Nashville, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.
  • TN School for the Deaf The Tennessee School for the Deaf is a PK-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been part of the UCS program since 2019.


High Schools
  • Austin-East High School Austin-East Magnet High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2020.

  • Bartlett High School Bartlett High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Bartlett, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2018.

  • Brentwood High School Brentwood High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Brentwood, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.

  • Centennial High School Centennial High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Franklin, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.

  • Central High School Central High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.
  • East Hamilton Middle High School East Hamilton High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Ooltewah, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2018.
  • Farragut High School Farragut High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.

  • Franklin High School Franklin High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Franklin, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.

  • Gibbs Middle School Gibbs Middle School is a 6-8 school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.
  • Halls High School Halls High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been a Unified Champion School since 2019.


  • Hardin Valley Academy Hardin Valley Academy is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been involved in the Unified Champion Schools program since 2018.
  • Harpeth High School Harpeth High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Kingston Springs, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2018.

  • Hixson High School Hixson High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Hixson, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.

  • Independence High School Independence High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Thompson's Station, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.
  • Powell High School Powell High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Powell, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2018.

  • Soddy Daisy High School Soddy Daisy High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Soddy-Daisy, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.
  • South Doyle High School South Doyle High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.
  • TN School for the Deaf The Tennessee School for the Deaf is a PK-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been part of the UCS program since 2019.


  • Upperman High School Upperman High School is a 9-12 UCS school in Baxter, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.
  • Volunteer High School Volunteer High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Church Hill, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2018.
  • West High School West High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Knoxville, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.
  • White County High School White County High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Sparta, TN. They have been participating in the Unified Champion Schools program since 2018.
  • White Station High School White Station High School is a 9-12 UCS school located in Memphis, TN. They have been involved with the Unified Champion Schools program since 2019.