Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® has announced that Lake George Central School District is receiving National Banner School recognition for its outstanding commitment to inclusion. This honor recognizes schools that have met 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect.
Lake George Central School District is being celebrated for creating a school culture where students with and without intellectual disabilities learn, lead, and play together. Through Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership opportunities, and whole-school engagement, the district has cultivated an environment that promotes acceptance, respect, and genuine connections among all students.
Unified Coach Katie Chapman shared, “I think it has been a long time coming as far as the student body and their overall enthusiasm and support for our unified program. This is just the cherry on top; we live by this anyway. This is a great recognition that is so natural in our hallways and our classes.”
The Unified Champion Schools® model is a strategy for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments. The program is built around three interconnected components: Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement.
“We are incredibly proud to be named a Special Olympics Unified Champion School and receive National Banner School recognition,” John Luthringer, Superintendent said. “This initiative perfectly aligns with our district’s core values of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every student is empowered to succeed. By bringing students of all abilities together on the field and in the classroom, we’re not just building great student athletes; we’re building a community of respect, empathy, and genuine connection.”
Lake George Central School District is now one of 45 schools in New York State currently participating in the Unified Champion Schools® programming with National Banner recognition as part of a nationwide network of over 10,000 schools across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The model is supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs and has been proven effective in fostering inclusive school climates where every student feels valued and supported.
Superintendent Lutheringer added, “The commitment of our students and staff is what truly makes this program a success, demonstrating that true champions lift each other up.”
For more information about Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®, visit www.generationunified.org.