Elementary Programs
This school year, Special Olympics Ontario is launching an exciting new inclusive strategy for elementary and middle schools. In addition to our foundational programs like Active Start, FUNdamentals, Multisport, and Introductory Sports Festivals, we’re introducing Unified Champion Schools, Intermediate events programming, and expanded virtual offerings.
Get started today—Special Olympics Ontario provides inclusive strategies, programs, and events that support students throughout their school journey and beyond.
SOO will provide Active Start, Fundamentals & Multisport booklets and T-Shirts to each new school.
Virtual Programming
This school year, to provide more opportunities and engagement, Special Olympics Ontario is launching three new week-long virtual events! These events are free of charge and open to all schools and students across the province. The programs will run asynchronously, offering a variety of challenges, prizes, educational materials, and live engagement opportunities.
Unified Programming
The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting system-wide change. In keeping with Special Olympics’ mission, the Unified Champion Schools strategy uses sport and wellness as a foundation in combination with two other major pillars, Whole School Engagement and Youth Leadership, to create an environment of acceptance and inclusion beyond the playing field. Unified Champion Schools prepare all students with lifelong tools and training. This school strategy builds a climate where students work and grow with each other through opportunity for all.
What a Unified Champion School "looks like" can vary greatly from school to school, based on the needs, goals, schedules, and other factors unique to each school, but the basic building blocks remain the same. At the elementary level, schools can work to become a Unified Champion School and participate in our Unified Intermediate events. To learn more, visit our Unified Page
Elementary Sport Festivals
Special Olympics Ontario is excited to announce the return of our Sport Festival program for elementary school students.
Sport Festivals offer a gateway to Special Olympics for our youngest athletes, focusing on developing physical literacy and movement confidence. These events target the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of the Long-Term Development Model, providing students with the opportunity to explore various sport and activity stations throughout the day.
Intermediate Skills & Play
Special Olympics Ontario now offers sport development progression programming for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
In select regions, SOO hosts basketball and bocce events that focus on skill development and gameplay. These events are designed to help students build essential sport skills, foster teamwork, and experience competition in a fun and supportive environment, preparing them for participation in SOO high school sports.