Unified Champion Schools

Canandaigua Academy and Canandaigua Middle School named 2024 National Banner Unified Champion Schools by the Special Olympics

Canandaigua Academy and Canandaigua Middle School were both named National Banner Unified Champion Schools by the Special Olympics. Canandaigua Middle School is the first middle school in New York State to receive this recognition and the Canandaigua City School District is the first district in New York State to gain this recognition at multiple levels. 

A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by achieving the ten standards described below. These standards are based upon the three overarching components that include Special Olympics Unified Sports®, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. National banner schools should also be able to demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future. 

At Canandaigua Academy we offer Unified Basketball and Unified Bowling as sports where athletes and partners participate together. Unified Basketball is offered at Canandaigua Middle School. These sports are a collaboration between Section V and the Special Olympics. Additionally, the District hosts its own track and field event in the Spring for younger students and participates in the Wayne-Finger Lakes Special Olympics each May. Additional opportunities have been provided by our Unified Sports Booster Club and we also have a a YAC (Youth Activation Committee) at each building. These groups help lead fundraisers that support the Special Olympics including participation in the annual Polar Plunge at Canandaigua Lake to benefit the Special Olympics. 

Twenty-two schools have achieved this status, which is recognized for four years. This year 13 new schools in New York were named National Banner Unified Champion Schools in New York. 

Congratulations to all who worked and continue to work to achieve this honor and to be an inclusive environment and a national banner unified champion school.

Link to Story from the Special Olympics