Satchel Ford Elementary named Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School

Satchel Ford Elementary School has been named a National Banner Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics. This is the third consecutive year that a Richland One school has received this recognition.

Satchel Ford is one of ten schools in South Carolina to receive the designation this year.

“I am incredibly proud of our students and faculty for embracing this program.  We see the positive effects of it each day,” said Satchel Ford Principal Dr. Matthew Scandrol.

Richland One is a Unified Champion School District, which means that all Richland One schools are engaged in activities with Special Olympics to support an inclusive and collaborative school climate.

Unified Champion Schools, like Satchel Ford, that demonstrate commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence receive national banner recognition.

“This award is a testament to our wonderful community at Satchel Ford. The students, staff, parents and community are the driving force to make all of this happen. I am privileged to be a small part of it,” said Chris Payne, Satchel Ford physical education teacher and advisor of the school’s Unified Champion program.

The 10 standards of excellence met to earn the recognition were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community. The primary activities within those standards include: Special Olympics Unified Sports® (where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement.

Crayton Middle School received national banner recognition in 2022, and A.C. Flora High School received the recognition in 2023.