Four Downey schools earn national inclusion honors
Griffiths Middle School students compete alongside Unified teams from across Downey Unified and neighboring districts during the District’s Unified Track and Field Day, celebrating connection and inclusion through sport.
DOWNEY – Special Olympics has announced that four Downey Unified schools have earned recognition as 2026 National Banner Unified Champion Schools for their commitment to fostering inclusive school communities.
Gauldin Elementary School, Doty Middle School, Griffiths Middle School and Warren High School are among the Southern California schools receiving the national distinction.
National Banner recognition is awarded to Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools that meet 10 national standards of excellence developed by leaders from Special Olympics and the education community. These standards center on Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership and whole-school engagement. Recognized schools must also demonstrate plans to sustain these efforts.
“This recognition reflects the values that define Downey Unified,” said Superintendent Dr. Roger Brossmer. “At our best, schools are places where every student feels seen, valued, and has a sense of belonging. We are incredibly proud of the students, staff, and families at Gauldin, Doty, Griffiths, and Warren for building school communities that celebrate inclusion and ensure all students have opportunities to thrive.”
The recognition of four National Banner schools represents another milestone in Downey Unified’s growing commitment to inclusion through Unified Champion Schools and Unified Sports.
As of the 2025-26 school year, 19 of the district’s 20 schools were considered Unified Champion Schools, reflecting a significant expansion of the initiative across elementary, middle and high school campuses.
Across Downey Unified, Unified programming extends beyond competitive athletics and takes different forms based on each school community’s needs and goals.
During the 2025-26 school year, campuses offered experiences including Unified physical education, sports, cheer, robotics, art, dance, social activities, field days, recess and reading buddies, awareness activities and opportunities for inclusive student leadership.
At the secondary level, Unified athletic opportunities have also included track, flag football, cheer and swimming.
The district’s commitment was further strengthened in February 2026, when the Downey Unified Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding with Special Olympics Southern California for the Unified Champion Schools Program.
The agreement formalized the partnership as Downey Unified continued working toward becoming a Unified Champion School District.
“Inclusion doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when students, educators and families intentionally create spaces where everyone feels welcomed, respected and empowered to participate,” said Christine Spino, Downey Unified’s Unified Champion Schools district liaison.
“With Unified Champion Schools across nearly every campus in our district, this work has grown into something much larger than any one program or event. Earning National Banner recognition at Gauldin, Doty, Griffiths and Warren is a testament to the cultures these schools have built and to a shared commitment across Downey Unified to ensure every student belongs.”
Downey Unified’s Unified Sports initiative has also received recognition beyond the district. In 2024-25, the district received a California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award for Unified Sports in the category of Equitable Resource Distribution.
The work at Gauldin Elementary and Warren High School was also featured by PBS’s “Inside California Education.”
Unified Sports opportunities have continued to grow. Downey Unified’s annual Unified track meet has brought together middle and high school athletes from the district and other school communities, while Downey and Warren high schools have competed in Unified flag football.
Additional activities have included middle and high school Unified field days and a staff-versus-student Unified basketball event at Warren High School.
The 2026 National Banner recognition for Gauldin, Doty, Griffiths and Warren builds on that districtwide work, highlighting school communities where students with and without intellectual disabilities have opportunities to participate, lead, build relationships and experience a greater sense of belonging.