Description:
The school serves boys and girls from ages three to twenty-one who have needs that cannot be met in a regular classroom setting. For some students this means several years at WSVH; others come for a shorter period, to work on skills such as Braille, adaptive technology, Orientation and Mobility, daily living skills, vocational education needs, social interaction, recreation and leisure, career education, visual efficiency training, or compensatory academic skills. Students enroll in either residential or day programs.
School for the visually handicapped is the only school of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. There are currently students with varying degrees of visual impairment enrolled full time, with other students, receiving short term educational services. WSVH offers state-standard K-12 education, extracurricular activities, meals/housing, as well as the latest in adapted technology to its participants.
Our education is thorough. Most of our staff is VI certified by the state, and experienced in teaching blind children. We offer all required academics in a format customized to each individual. Along with core academic content, we offer physical education and health, vocational education, independent living skills development, Orientation and Mobility, music--general and individualized vocal, and instrumental--Braille, technology, as well as specialized classes and therapy for students with multiple handicaps. If parents find the school lacking a course they desire for their child, they have the additional option of enrolling him/her in that course at an area public school through our inter-school co-op program.
WSVH offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Students can train and compete in everything from track and field to swimming, wrestling, and cheerleading. The athletic teams offer an excellent opportunity for students to stay fit, have fun, and socialize with kids from the community, as well as other blind children and teens from around the country. Non-athletic activities include area Scouts, volunteer community service, student council participation and activities, horseback riding, 4-H, speech and music competitions, and our annual prom. The recreation department takes care of what little downtime remains with optional outings, bike rides, bingo games, and supervised hangout sessions in our teen center.