Special Olympics Awards Four Boston Public Schools with National Banner

Special Olympics Massachusetts recently honored four Boston Public Schools with National Banner recognition for their efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities.

Special Olympics Honors Four Boston Public Schools with National Banner Recognition

BPS has four of only 17 schools in Massachusetts and 217 schools nationwide to achieve the status of National Banner School for the 2024-2025 school year.

BOSTON - DECEMBER 19, 2025- Special Olympics Massachusetts recently named Brighton High School, Mario Umana Academy, Trotter Elementary, and the Warren Prescott K-8 School as National Banner schools for their efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities. The four schools earned this distinguished status as a result of meeting 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from the Special Olympics and the education community.

"We are incredibly proud that four Boston Public Schools have been recognized as National Banner Unified Champion Schools," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. "This honor reflects our district's and schools’ commitment to creating inclusive environments where every student of all abilities can participate, lead, and thrive. Through programs like Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole-school engagement, we move closer to building a more inclusive future across all of our schools."

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 disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Unified Sports; inclusive youth leadership; and whole-school engagement. As many as 16 million young people are taking part in inclusive experiences through Special Olympics. National Banner Unified Champion Schools also demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.

"At Warren Prescott, our students are at the center of everything we do and our school community works diligently every day to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to connect, lead, and learn alongside their peers of all abilities," said Principal Michele Davis, Warren-Prescott K-8 School. "Our collaborative efforts are grounded in this vision, allowing students to engage meaningfully with each other and helping build a school culture rooted in equity, respect, and inclusion."

Since October 2023, Boston Public Schools (BPS) has been implementing its landmark Inclusive Education Plan for the Boston Public Schools. The plan outlines systemic changes across all BPS divisions to close opportunity gaps and give every student access to rigorous and culturally affirming instruction. This Inclusive Education Plan will transform learning outcomes for all students, upholding the right of every student to be educated in the least-restrictive environment.

"Trotter Elementary celebrates the power of inclusion every day. Our students participate in Unified Sports and school-wide activities that foster understanding, leadership, and friendship across all abilities," said Principal Sarita Thomas, Trotter Elementary School. "Being named a National Banner School emphasizes our commitment to creating a learning environment where all students can thrive socially and academically."

Brighton High School has made history by becoming the first secondary school in Boston Public Schools to earn Special Olympics National Banner recognition. This achievement showcases the school’s commitment to creating an inclusive community where students of all abilities can fully participate in sports, leadership activities, and school life. With its unified sports programs and strong culture of belonging, Brighton sets a great example of what it means to achieve inclusive excellence at the high school level.

"At Brighton High School, our students are at the forefront of creating a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and included," said Principal Andrew Bott, Brighton High School. "This recognition highlights their dedication to uplifting one another, fostering strong friendships, and making our school a welcoming environment for all. We are incredibly proud of the leadership and compassion our students demonstrate every day, which has earned us the Special Olympics National Banner."

Photo: Piano Lab Ribbon Cutting at Umana Academy, 2025.

“This achievement reflects the power of inclusion, teamwork, and community. At the Umana, every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated, and earning the National Banner recognition affirms that belief,” said Principal Akua-Nia Francillon, Mario Umana Academy. “I am proud of our school, grateful for our dedicated educators, and inspired by our amazing young people who make the Umana a place where belonging and brilliance are lived every day.”

The Unified Champion Schools® model is supported by the Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education. This model has been proven, through research, to be an effective and replicable means to providing students with and without disabilities the opportunity to form positive social relationships and promote a socially inclusive school climate.

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Next Generation Learning Challenges Articles by Nika Hollingsworth

Who Manages Faith-Based Connect?

Nika Hollingsworth, the dedicated Manager of Community and Faith-Based Partnerships within the BPS Partnerships Office (a part of Office of Family and Community Advancement) is the visionary behind this vital database. This tool was designed specifically to connect BPS families and staff with the essential services provided by local faith-based organizations and places of worship. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between educational needs and community resources. Here she has streamlined access to critical support systems like food pantries, childcare, and basic needs assistance.

The Partnerships Office manages this platform, ensuring that BPS families can quickly and easily find the localized support they need, while simultaneously providing BPS staff with the tools necessary for efficient student and family referrals.

Questions or Suggestions?

Contact Nika by Email at:
nhollingsworth@bostonpublicschools.org

Faith-Based Organizations by BPS Regions

More Updates Coming Soon..

Region 1

Organization	Neighborhood	Zip	Closest BPS Schools
Park Street Church	Downtown	02108	Eliot K-8, Otis
St. Anthony Shrine	Downtown	02110	Eliot K-8, Otis
First Church in Cambridge (UCC)	Back Bay	02116	Blackstone, Hurley K-8
Grant AME Church	South End	02118	Dudley Street, Orchard Gardens K-8

Region 2

Organization	Neighborhood	Zip	Closest BPS Schools
Salvation Army South End	South End	02118	Dudley Street, Orchard Gardens K-8
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church	South End	02118	Dudley Street, Trotter
Boston Missionary Baptist Church	Roxbury	02119	Dudley Street, Trotter
Charles Street AME Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Church of God of Galilee	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8

Region 3

Organization	Neighborhood	Zip	Closest BPS Schools
Islamic Multi-Service Organization (IMSO)	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
People’s Baptist Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Resurrection Lutheran Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Roxbury Presbyterian Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Salvation Army Boston Central Hispanic Corps	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Twelfth Baptist Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
St. Mary of the Angels (USCC)	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
Walthall Chapel COGIC	Roxbury	02119	Trotter, Orchard Gardens K-8
INCA Relief Center	Roxbury	02120	Orchard Gardens K-8
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry	Roxbury	02120	Orchard Gardens K-8
United Emmanuel Holiness Church	Roxbury	02120	Orchard Gardens K-8
Berea SDA Church	Dorchester	02121	Mildred Ave K-8
Bethel Tabernacle Pentecostal Church	Dorchester	02121	Mildred Ave K-8
Boston Project Ministries	Dorchester	02121	Mildred Ave K-8
Catholic Charities – Yawkey Center	Dorchester	02121	Mildred Ave K-8
Greater Anointing Harvest Church	Roxbury/Dorchester	02121	Mildred Ave K-8
Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church	Dorchester	02121	Mildred Ave K-8
St. Peter’s Catholic Church	Dorchester	02122	Winthrop
Eglise Baptiste Haitienne du Bon Berger	Dorchester	02124	Lee K-8
Holy Tabernacle COGIC Apostolic	Dorchester	02124	Lee K-8

Region 4

Organization	Neighborhood	Zip	Closest BPS Schools
Salvation Army (Wales St)	Dorchester	02124	Lee K-8
St. Mark’s Catholic Church	Dorchester	02124	Lee K-8
Holy Family Parish	Dorchester	02125	BTU K-8
Pilgrim Trinitarian Congregational Church	Dorchester	02125	BTU K-8
Salvation Army Kroc Center	Dorchester	02125	BTU K-8

Region 5

Organization	Neighborhood	Zip	Closest BPS Schools
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church	Dorchester	02125	BTU K-8
Church of the Holy Spirit	Mattapan	02126	Mattahunt
Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center	Mattapan	02126	Mattahunt
Morning Star Baptist Church	Mattapan	02126	Mattahunt
Voice of Gospel	Mattapan	02126	Mattahunt

Region 6

Organization	Neighborhood	Zip	Closest BPS Schools
Timothy Baptist Church	Roxbury	02119	Trotter
Blessed Mother Teresa Parish	Dorchester	02124	Lee K-8
Greenwood Shalom	Dorchester	02125	BTU K-8
Fourth Presbyterian Church	South Boston	02127	Perkins
South Baptist Church	South Boston	02127	Perkins
St. Monica–St. Augustine Catholic Church	South Boston	02127	Perkins
Central Community Church	East Boston	02128	East Boston EEC, Umana
Grace Church Federated	East Boston	02128	East Boston EEC, Umana
Bethel AME Church	Jamaica Plain	02130	Curley K-8
Roslindale Congregational Church	Roslindale	02131	Ohrenberger (3-8)
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (W. Roxbury)	West Roxbury	02132	Ohrenberger (3-8)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul	West Roxbury	02132	Ohrenberger (3-8)
St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church	West Roxbury	02132	Ohrenberger (3-8)
Trinity Lutheran Church	West Roxbury	02132	Ohrenberger (3-8)
Community of Love Christian Fellowship	Allston	02134	Gardner Pilot
Brighton Allston Congregational Church	Brighton	02135	Gardner Pilot
Hyde Park SDA Church	Hyde Park	02136	Mildred Ave K-8
Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church	Cambridge	02139	Blackstone
St. Francis Chapel	Back Bay	02199	Blackstone
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston	Brookline	02445	Baldwin ELPA
United Parish Church	Brookline	02446	Baldwin ELPA