Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children

The Mission of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is to nurture the unique abilities of individuals with blindness and visual impairment through educational excellence and a lifetime of learning.

Founded in 1887, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC) is one of four chartered schools in Pennsylvania. The School's services not only reach the nearly 200 enrolled students in the on-campus programs, but expand to hundreds more through early intervention, adult programming, outreach services, and blended childcare - spanning the age range of the WPSBC community from infants to 59 years of age. All children and young adults attending our on-campus programs are blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities and complex medical conditions. Individualized educational, therapeutic, and health care services are provided and each student has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Our Primary Program for preschool and kindergarten children, begins at age three. The curriculum focuses on school readiness, while promoting increased independence and socialization skills. Students in the Middle Program, ages of 6 through 13, focus on independence, socialization, communication, mobility and self-care, and the Secondary Program students, ages 12 to 21, prepare for a successful transition to adulthood. Celebrating the unique abilities of our students is at the core of WPSBC along with a vision of being global leaders in education and advocacy for individuals with blindness and visual impairment. The School upholds a high standard of educational excellence provides a lifetime program of support.