Downey Unified wins Golden Bell Award for transformative sports program

Downey Unified School District is proud to announce that its Unified Sports Program was honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award on Dec. 5. The award was presented during the annual Golden Bell Awards ceremony in Anaheim, celebrating excellence in education programs across California.

Launched in 2008 at Warren High School with the Teen Connection initiative, Downey Unified’s Unified Sports program reflects the district’s commitment to inclusivity and creating a sense of belonging for all students. Unified Sports brings together students with and without disabilities as equal teammates in athletics, fostering teamwork, understanding, and friendships through sports such as Basketball, Cheerleading, and Track & Field.

Currently, the program thrives at Warren High School, extends to middle schools including Doty, Griffiths, and Stauffer, and supports students at Downey Adult Transition and Columbus High School. With plans to expand districtwide, Downey Unified is dedicated to ensuring even more students benefit from this impactful initiative.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff,” said Nancy Swenson, Downey Unified’s Board of Education President. “Unified Sports is more than just a program—it’s a movement that celebrates diversity, builds bridges, and transforms lives. We are deeply honored to be recognized at the state level for this important effort.”

Unified Sports in Downey Unified has earned national acclaim, including Special Olympics National Banner status for Warren High School in 2019 and recognition from ESPN for its commitment to social inclusion.

The CSBA Golden Bell Award highlights innovative programs and governance practices that improve student outcomes and promotes equity in California public schools. Educational experts from school districts and county offices of education comprise the 54-member judging panel that reviews all written award entries. On-site visitations are also utilized to validate and assess the nominated programs to determine the winners. Downey Unified’s was visited in September before receiving notification of being selected for this award.