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Discovery Middle students showcase Unified Club and new elective to board
Summary
Students and advisors from Discovery Middle School presented the Unified Club and its new Unified Advisors elective, describing inclusion activities, schedule logistics, and how the program has shaped students’ social skills and career interests.
Discovery Middle School students and staff presented the Unified Club and a newly introduced Unified Advisors elective to the Alexandria Public School District board, describing how the program pairs students with and without disabilities to build social, life and leadership skills.
"Unified means to be inclusive to people with disabilities inside and outside of school," student Ella Scholl told the board, summarizing the program’s goal to promote understanding and peer support. Advisor Dani Anderson said the elective opened this year for incoming eighth graders and connects students with center-based programs, developmental adaptive physical education (DAPE) classes and other supports.
Students described concrete activities: learning sign language, supporting peers in classrooms and PE, and running a coffee cart that helps with assistive technology and social skills. Student Harper Medway said Unified Club "helped me make new friends" and that the elective teaches "patience, teamwork and empathy." Multiple student presenters said the experience shaped their interest in helping careers such as occupational or physical therapy.
Board members asked about logistics and scale. Students said meetings occur during home base and on selected Wednesdays, and that the club has grown to many participants who are now split into smaller groups to meet demand. Principal Troy Wunderlich and advisor Dani Anderson said the elective slots rotate across A/B days so students in center-based programs receive consistent peer support.
The board praised the program and highlighted related offerings at the high school—Superintendent Rick Stansted noted the district is adding a "Unified Music" course next year to extend inclusion pathways into secondary programs. The presentation concluded with board encouragement for families to consider volunteering and attending related events.
The board moved on after thanking the students and staff for the presentation.
