FCAHS Recertified as National Unified Champion School

Fox Chapel Area High School has been recertified as a National Unified Champion School by the international headquarters of Special Olympics. Fox Chapel Area first received this designation in 2019.

The honor is bestowed upon a small number of schools that demonstrate a commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence, developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community, that center around inclusion, acceptance, and respect. 

“We are so proud of the values that are embraced every day by the Fox Chapel Area school community: inclusion, respect, understanding, and empowerment,” says Matthew Aaron, president and CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. “Through the uplifting culture promoted by the students and staff at Fox Chapel Area, everyone is valued. Everyone contributes meaningfully through their unique talents. And everyone is included.”

“We appreciate our partnership with the Special Olympics and are humbled by the recognition,” says Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, Fox Chapel Area School District superintendent. “We appreciate the efforts of our students, staff, administrators, and school community to provide wonderful, inclusive opportunities for all of our students.”  

Fox Chapel Area is one of 146 high schools in the nation to be named a National Banner Unified Champion School for 2023-2024 and was one of only two schools in Pennsylvania to be recertified this year. 

Of note, Fox Chapel Area is one of only 24 schools in Pennsylvania to ever receive the National Unified Champion Banner School designation and was the first school in Allegheny County to do so. Fox Chapel Area also was the first school in Allegheny County to have a Unified Track team, which was established during the 2018-2019 school year. The high school also has had a Unified Bocce team since the 2017-2018 school year. These teams include students with and without disabilities, and these athletes work side by side in both training and competition.

Fox Chapel Area High School will receive its Unified Champion School national banner later this school year.