North Penn High School Recertified as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics
North Penn High School (NPHS) has been recertified as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics. NPHS was first recognized in 2018 as a National Banner School. Schools must reapply and be reevaluated by a national panel every four years to maintain certification.
National Banner Unified Champion Schools are selected for their commitment to inclusion by meeting ten standards of excellence, including offering unified sports programs, creating inclusive youth leadership, and engaging the whole school in awareness and education activities. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.
“It is an honor to be recognized by Special Olympics for the hard work of North Penn High School staff members every single day,” said Kyle Hassler, principal of North Penn High School. “NPHS has always been dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for all students, and we continue to strive for meaningful inclusion each day.”
In the 2016-2017 school year, NPHS created a Unified Track Team, bringing together students of all abilities to compete and train together. In the 2017-2018 school year, NPHS formed a Unified Bocce Team who won the Pennsylvania State Championship that same year and have remained a competitive force in Montgomery County.
North Penn High School is one of only 20 high schools in the state of Pennsylvania and 683 across the country currently certified as National Banner Unified Champion Schools.
To learn more about Special Olympics and the National Banner Unified Champion School program, please visit their website.