Montgomery Jr/Sr High School in Santa Rosa has been named a 2026 National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics, the organization’s highest honor for a school building inclusion through sports. The recognition caps six years of work at the campus, where students with and without disabilities have trained and competed together as teammates rather than as separate programs running side by side.
The designation comes from Special Olympics, which lists Montgomery among its Class of 2026 Northern California honorees, according to specialolympics.org. The Press Democrat reports that Montgomery hosted its annual Special Olympics Unified Field Day as part of the celebration, where students with special needs competed on teams with general education peers and socialized off the field afterward. The school also hosted its sixth annual soccer tournament on October 22, drawing 12 schools and programs from Sonoma and Napa counties, per the same report.
A Six-Year Build Toward National Recognition
Montgomery has been a Unified Champion School and host of the soccer tournament for six years, and the campus includes a Best Buddies program alongside its Unified Sports offerings, according to the Press Democrat’s account. Kateland Pinella, who coordinated the field day and serves as principal of Santa Rosa Early Learning Academy, said the event has built lasting connections across schools. Per the Press Democrat, Pinella said students who move schools often reconnect with former teachers and teammates at the field day.
Montgomery Principal Tyler Ahlborn called the field day one of his favorite days of the year, the outlet reports. Ahlborn said hosting the event is a point of pride that requires effort from staff, leaders and students, and that it celebrates the school’s work to build an inclusive and welcoming environment. He credited teachers, partners, staff, volunteers and students for their contributions, and said he considers the recognition comparable to the school’s athletic achievements — with plans to display the banner alongside Montgomery’s other athletic honors.
What It Takes to Earn Banner Status
To win national banner recognition, a Special Olympics Unified Champion School must meet 10 standards of excellence, and schools must reapply for banner status every four years to keep the designation, per specialolympics.org. Every Unified Champion School participates in three core components — Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole School Engagement — according to Special Olympics Northern California’s description of the program on sonc.org. The organization’s site also lists Montgomery among five Northern California schools earning the honor this year, alongside Pittsburg High, Rosemont High, Roseville High and Stoneman Elementary…