Edina Unified

Pairing Students With and Without Disabilities to Build Lifelong Skills and Friendships

Edina Unified brings students with and without disabilities together in shared experiences, where inclusion is part of everyday learning. Through classrooms, student activities, field trips, and schoolwide involvement, students develop academic, social, and leadership skills while building friendships that extend beyond the school day.

What began at South View Middle School in partnership with Special Olympics Minnesota has grown into a districtwide movement. Today, Edina Unified includes programs at Valley View Middle School and Edina High School, as well as additional Unified opportunities at the elementary level.

Program Highlights

As Edina Unified has grown, so has its impact. By bringing together students with different needs, Unified programming creates more opportunities for students to learn from one another, participate fully in school life, and foster a community where everyone belongs.

Inclusive Student Leadership

Students of all abilities collaborate as leaders, developing confidence, communication skills, and lasting friendships.

Unified Sports

Students participate in adapted sports and athletic activities that build teamwork, develop skills, and foster Hornet pride.

Whole School Engagement

Through schoolwide events, students across the district come together to promote inclusion, understanding, and belonging.

How Students Get Involved

Students can get involved with Edina Unified in many ways across the district, including during classes, flex time, clubs, field trips, school events, and extracurricular activities. Some opportunities for general education students may require an application and training. While offerings vary by school and year, every experience is designed to build meaningful inclusion among students of all abilities. To learn more about available opportunities, connect with your Unified staff.

Classes

In Unified classes, students receiving special education services and their general education peers learn together. Courses are intentionally designed to support participation by students of all abilities through shared instruction, activities, and collaborative learning.

Examples include:

Unified Physical Education (PE)
Advisory and flex time
Electives, such as art, music, and life skills

Sports

Field Trips

Field trips and community outings provide opportunities for students to explore new places together while practicing skills in real-world settings. Many outings incorporate experiences that support independence, decision-making, and navigating everyday environments.

Examples include:

Grocery store shopping trips
Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
Museum visits
Zoo visits

Theatre for All

Each fall and spring, students participate in Theatre for All productions at Edina High School. These performances pair students with and without disabilities to share a role, with two students working together to develop and perform a single character on stage. The shared-role model allows students to contribute their individual strengths while collaborating throughout the production process.

Polar Plunge

The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraising event that supports Special Olympics Minnesota and Edina Unified. As part of the statewide Cool School initiative, students and staff raise funds before taking the plunge into icy water. Edina's secondary schools routinely raise around $100,000 each year, helping fund athletic, leadership, and inclusion opportunities for students with disabilities while increasing awareness and support for Unified programming across the district.

Play Dates

Throughout the year, Edina Unified hosts play dates and social gatherings for students and families. Often held at our elementary school playgrounds, these informal events are open to students of all abilities and from all schools. They provide a welcoming space for families to connect and for students to spend time together outside of the school day.

Unified Camps

Through Unified youth camps and enrichment programs, Edina Community Education creates opportunities for students of all abilities to learn, connect, and have fun outside of school. Programs include art, theater, fitness, and more.

Explore the Catalog

See Edina Unified in Action

Watch how Edina Unified shapes learning and belonging in this video from Special Olympics Minnesota.

My favorite thing about Edina is all the Unified classes — from Unified PE to Unified Club to theater. It is super fun making new friends and being with old friends as well!

– Edina Public Schools Special Education Student