Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) has been named a National Banner Unified Champion School in their class of recognized schools for 2024. Newburgh Free Academy is one of 13 schools in New York State to earn this prestigious honor. 

This distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the nation, recognizing their leadership in creating inclusive school communities where all students are accepted and celebrated.

In Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, students with and without disabilities play on the same sports teams and take physical education courses together. Students learn inclusive leadership skills and lead campaigns and activities that engage the entire school community to encourage and promote inclusion among their peers.

Newburgh Free Academy’s Unified teams began in the fall of 2017 with Unified Basketball (spring), adding Bowling (winter) a few years later. Bocce (fall) is in the intramural stages of being added as an official sport. Just last spring, the NFA Unified Bowling team won the Section 9 Championships. 

In addition to Unified Sports, NFA also has a student-led Youth Activation Committee. Through Youth Activation Committees (YAC) at Unified Champion Schools, youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities plan activities that promote and advocate for respect, inclusion, and acceptance for all people. YACs take responsibility for promoting and sustaining their school Unified Sports teams while creating a more socially inclusive school climate through various Whole School Engagement campaigns. Members of NFA’s Varsity sporting teams teach skills from their sport to students in the Unified program, exposing students to additional sports, expanding their athletic abilities, and developing key relationships with peers outside of their teams.

NFA also offers inclusive classes in physical education and designated electives that mingle general education students and special education students, with opportunities for general education students to lead those classes.

As a result of participation in the NFA Unified and Youth Activation Committee programs, several recent NFA alumni have been inspired to teach, coach, and earn additional certifications to teach adaptive sports and physical education, practice music therapy, and teach special education students. 

NFA’s Unified teams and Youth Activation programs are led by Ms. Sandy Griffiths, Ms. Michelle Bender, and Ms. Christy Puleo.

NFA student Baron shared that he likes NFA Unified because it gives him a chance to meet students from other schools. He also shared that he’s competitive on the basketball court but friendly with teammates and opponents to help build friendships. 

Cora likes Unified because it gives everyone a chance to be included.

Hannah shared that Unified creates unbeatable bonds. 

Joe shared that he likes Unified because it means helping a team out, and not being the guy on the sidelines, but being able to participate and having people cheer for you. 

“As advisors, we hope students are bringing the spirit of inclusivity in their own lives and out into the world.” Advisors for the program, Ms. Sandy Griffiths, Ms. Michelle Bender, and Ms. Christy Puleo agree that “overall, students tend to enjoy Unified sports because it’s fun, gives them an opportunity to practice skills, and remain active, be part of a team, and enjoy friendly competition. Unified sports also give students confidence from winning and create opportunities to interact with other students at NFA and different schools in Section 9.”

Special Olympics NY Unified Champion Schools are off to a vibrant start to the school year. Due to increased popularity among students, many schools are adding fall Unified Sports including bocce, soccer, and flag football. Statewide, 340 schools and nearly 5,000 Unified Athletes and nearly 5,000 Unified Partners play Unified. A long-term partnership with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has led to additional rapid Unified growth in recent years.

“NYSPHSAA’s partnership with Special Olympics NY has been an unparalleled achievement for hundreds of high school communities,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “We are proud of all these Banner Schools for showing the best of what New York high school sports have to offer.”

A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated the highest commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence. The standards were developed by a panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community nationally.  The primary activities within these standards include Special Olympics Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement. To achieve banner status, Unified Champion Schools must also demonstrate that they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to continue these activities in the future.