Neosho Junior High and Neosho High School have recently been designated as Unified Champion Schools, a recognition that highlights their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all students. This designation is based on three key components: providing opportunities for Unified Sports, promoting whole school engagement, and encouraging inclusive youth leadership.

At Neosho Junior High, students participate in Unified PE and Unified Basketball, celebrate Special Olympics athletes, and engage in leadership opportunities through an inclusive leadership team. Neosho High School builds on these efforts by offering the same programs while also hosting a Breakfast Club on late-start Mondays, where PACE students and their peers gather to socialize and play games over breakfast.

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools promote social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities through sports, student clubs, and school-wide initiatives. By using sports as a catalyst for social change, this program helps foster leadership, friendship, and inclusivity within our schools. Much of the success of this initiative is made possible through a strong partnership with the Missouri Association of Student Councils.

To learn more about Unified Champion Schools, please visit this link.