Secondary Programs
SCHOOL HUB
Welcome to the Secondary Schools Hub, your ultimate resource centre for all things Special Olympics!
Welcome!
Updates
Welcome back to the SOO family, everyone! Start by checking out what’s in store for you this year. Explore our attached booklet filled with exciting new events, initiatives, and programs.
Communications
Emails
SOO Announcements – Monthly
Schools will receive province-wide email announcements and reminders on the second Monday of each month.
Regional Communications – Monthly
Schools will receive an invitation email from their regional contact for each local event, followed by a reminder email approximately 10 days prior. After registration, a participant email with event details will be sent 5-6 days before the event. Additional communications may occur for special events and programs available in the community.
Newsletters
Stay updated on all things Special Olympics by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. Click Here to subscribe and keep informed about School Championships, award winners, qualifications, news, and opportunities. (Please check your “Other” mailbox or junk folder if you don’t see it.)
Join our official WhatsApp group for educators to connect with teachers across the province. This platform promotes collaboration, engagement, and communication within the Special Olympics community. It’s where SOO shares updates, resources, and news, and gathers feedback.
Click here to join the Special Olympics Educator WhatsApp Community
The Community Includes:
- General Announcements (One-Way) – Key updates from SOO.
- Regional/District Chats (Two-Way) – Connect with fellow teachers in specific areas; check descriptions for city details.
- Connective Space for Parents – A dedicated area for parent engagement.
Facebook Group
Connect and share stories with the SOO community through our Special Olympics Educator Facebook Group. Click here to join.
Registration
Special Olympics Ontario has introduced a temporary registration process for this school year, with plans to implement a streamlined system next fall. All schools must complete their team and coach intake registration forms before participating in any SOO events. Following the initial registration, schools will need to complete additional event-specific forms as required. Please follow the steps below to register for the 2024/25 school year:
2024/2025 Registration Instructions
Note this process varies slightly between new and returning schools. New schools will be sent a blank form link. Returning schools will be sent a form with partial information to verify.
Unified Resources
Becoming a Unified Champion School
*Note: not all Special Olympics International information applies to Ontario programming
Sport Resources
Basketball
Bocce
Soccer
Floorball
Track & Field
Hosting & Volunteering
Provincial School Championships
June 3rd - 5th, 2025 | Ottawa
Most Teams will compete at Carleton University, which will also serve as the accommodation site for everyone.
Arrival Information:
- Teams west of Peterborough will arrive a day early on June 2nd.
- Teams east of and including Peterborough will arrive on June 3rd.
The qualification process and rules are outlined below. Teams will be notified of their qualification status by the following dates:
- November 4th for Soccer
- January 13th for Basketball
- March 31st for Bocce
- April 14th for Track & Field
- May 2nd for Floorball
Acceptance deadlines will be strictly 1-2 weeks, depending on the time of year. Extensions will not be granted for acceptance or registration.
To learn more, visit our School Champs Team Hub. Please note that the Team Hub is currently under construction but will be available in the coming months. Stay tuned for our exciting logo launch event in October, where we’ll unveil the official 2025 School Champs logo!
This school year, we are excited to offer more health programs and resources to students than ever before. Health programs are designed to enhance the physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being of Special Olympics athletes. Through the SOFitNow app, athletes can engage in fun challenges, track their progress, and work towards personalized fitness goals.
Program Highlights:
- Physical Health: Focus on nutritious eating, improving fitness, and adopting active lifestyles.
- Social & Emotional Well-being: Strengthen social skills and overall mental health.
- Challenges: Participate in exciting challenges like the Fit5 and Step Challenges, designed to keep athletes motivated.
Mentorship Program
SOO will launch its new educator mentorship program later this year. The program is centered around creating a sustainable foundation for inclusive schools, cultures, and Special Olympics programming in schools.
Prospective mentors can indicate their interest in mentoring a fellow teacher on the intake form. Educators who wish to get some support building up their program, are looking for a colleague to bounce ideas off, or if you are new to Special Olympics, you can indicate your interest in having a peer mentor on the form as well.
Special Olympics will pair mentors with mentees in the same region where possible. Mentors are given a great deal of flexibility in how they choose to support their peers. The only requirement is that mentors arrange quarterly check-in meetings and be available to answer questions throughout the school year. SOO will provide a mentorship package with some suggested material to cover; however, this is at the mentor's discretion. Mentors will be provided a $100 gift card (Sobeys or Tim Hortons) annually for their support.
In cases where there is no local mentor, SOO staff will take on a mentorship role.
Join our community!
Community Programs
In almost every local community Special Olympics runs volunteer driven sport-based programs for students outside of schools. With 18 sports offered each region has its own program offerings. Play while you’re in school, play after you graduate and play for the rest of your life. See our community programs page to find a program near you:
Connect with us!