What is Unified at Lincoln High School?

Unified is a powerful way to build inclusion for our neurodivergent students. It creates opportunities for students of all abilities to join in community through sports, friendships and opportunities to connect beyond the classroom setting. It focuses on building relationships that are built around encouragement, celebrating and having fun through all the adventures we take together.

Our program was founded in 2023 in partnership with the Special Olympics of Washington’s Unified program. We have the amazing opportunity to connect and compete with other high school programs around Washington State. We see many incredible opportunities to build friendships that extend outside of Lincoln High School.

Through these opportunities, we have developed whole-school opportunities to celebrate inclusion with other schools. Our biggest event of the year is Cram the Cave in March, which involves our Unified Basketball team competing against the Ballard High School Unified Basketball team. There are many other events that occur throughout the year that provide the teams with opportunities to have fun in the court or field.

When does Unified take place?

• Unified Club: On Wednesdays, the Unified Club meets for lunch to connect and build friendships. The students will often have questions of the day or find ways to celebrate members of the club. Participating in this club doesn’t require registering, just show up and have fun!
• Unified Basketball: The Unified Basketball season begins end of November and concludes mid-March with the culminating event, Cram the Cave. Practices are twice a week in the Lincoln High School gym after school, and games are on Saturdays around the greater Seattle area with other Unified High School programs. Depending on how the season goes, there is the chance to attend the Unified State Championship weekend at the end of February. Participating in this sport requires registration with Lincoln High School and the Special Olympics of Washington. Please email Samuel Ahlers saahlers@seattleschools.org or Holly Guy hlguy@seattleschools.org for a registration information packet.
• Unified Soccer:  The Unified Soccer season begins mid-March and concludes end of May. Practices are twice a week at a field near Lincoln High School after school, and games are on Saturdays around the greater Seattle area with other Unified High School programs. Depending on how the season goes, there is the chance to attend the Unified State Championship weekend at the end of May. Participating in this sport requires registration with Lincoln High School and the Special Olympics of Washington. Please email Samuel Ahlers saahlers@seattleschools.org or Holly Guy hlguy@seattleschools.org for a registration information packet.