Waverly High School has been named to the 2021 ESPN Honor Roll for its efforts in promoting an inclusive school culture for students with intellectual disabilities. Howell is the only Michigan school, and one of only 36 schools nationwide, to make the list.
The ESPN Honor Roll is a collaboration between ESPN and Special Olympics aimed at recognizing schools that make creating an inclusive school climate a top priority.
In order to be considered for the ESPN Honor Roll, schools must meet 10 standards of excellence that were developed by a national panel of leaders in education and Special Olympics. A Special Olympics Unified Champion School brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities through education, sports and youth leadership. Schools exhibit a commitment to an inclusive school climate that promotes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff.
More than 250 Michigan schools took part in the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program during the 2020-2021 school year. Waverly High School joins Bay City Handy Middle School (2019), Brighton High School (2018) and Howell High School (2020) as the only Michigan schools to garner ESPN Honor Roll status since the award’s inception in 2018. Brighton High School was also previously honored as a Top 5 Unified Champion School by ESPN in 2018.
ESPN will announce its Top 5 Unified Champion Schools for 2021 on October 12.
For more information about the Unified Champion Schools program in Michigan, visit www.somi.org/schools.