Tabor Academy senior Molly Bent is a star athlete who wants to level the playing field for children with special needs.

Beginning in January, Bent, a Barnstable resident, will lead a new Special Olympics Young Athletes program where children ages 2 to 7 can participate in a range of activities.

The project blends two of Bent’s interests: athletics and helping those with special needs. As a standout athlete, Bent is headed to the University of Connecticut where she will play Division 1 basketball. She has been involved with the Massachusetts Special Olympics, having volunteered at her younger sister Sarah’s events. Her 11-year-old sister has Downs syndrome and is a familiar presence on campus where she cheers for Bent during games.

Seeing students embrace Sarah showed Bent the program would be well received by students.

“Every time [Sarah] comes to Tabor, the community is always so nice to her,” she said.

Young Athletes is an opportunity for kids to develop physical, cognitive and social development skills in a positive and fun environment. It will accommodate up to 20 kids.

Joining Bent in running the program is mathematics teacher Tim Cleary. A recent addition to Tabor Academy’s staff, Cleary arrived from a school that had a strong relationship with the Special Olympics, and he wanted to bring similar programming to campus.

Cleary learned from Megan Hoffman, the director of community development for Special Olympics Massachusetts, of Bent’s involvement with the organization.

“I knew that if we were going to do this it needed to be student led, so I brought it up with Molly and she ran with it,” Cleary said.

The program offers services that are in short supply for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, he said.

“I have two children who are not impaired, and they have a lot of options when it comes to sports,” Cleary said. “Some parents feel that’s not the case for kids who are intellectually or developmentally impaired. This is filling a need for kids that have fewer opportunities.”

Bent said she thought it would be an excellent fit for the school.

“When Mr. Cleary approached me with the idea of hosting the Young Athletes Program at Tabor, I though it was a great idea,” she said. “It gives the Tabor community a chance to help kids with intellectual disabilities and their families.”

For the Young Athletes program, Bent will manage student volunteers who will lead a variety of activities during the eight-week program.

Cleary said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The reaction from students was very impressive,” he said. “When they were presented with this opportunity to help other people, they jumped on it very quickly.”

Cleary also praised Bent for being the driving force behind the program while excelling in sports and academics.

“I’m awed by Molly, and I’m lucky to get to work with her,” he said.

Families are invited to an open house for the program on Dec. 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Fish Center for Health and Athletics, 256 Front St.

The program starts in January. For more information or to apply, visit www.specialolympicsma.org/youngathletes.