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Empower Your Future at WSSB

Contact Info & FAQs

Phone: 360-947-3309
Fax: 833-296-2184
E-Mail: office@wssb.wa.gov

Step 1: Referral Forms

Complete both:

Step 2:  Initial Enrollment Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WSSB charge tuition?  

WSSB is a public school, and there's no cost of attendance for Washington residents.  

Out-of-state students are supported through their local district's funding and determined through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. 

Can WSSB students attend classes offered by other schools or programs?

WSSB offers a comprehensive menu of classes, yet we are a small school with limited offerings.  To provide additional options, students may be able to access courses offered through Hudson's Bay High School, Cascadia Tech, Discovery Middle School, Clark College for Running Start, or online courses that meet their academic learning plan needs.  Availability is limited for outside classes and opportunities are individually evaluated. 

How does transportation work? 

Students who participate in the residential program and live outside of the Vancouver area will travel home one of the following ways:

  • Charter Bus on the I-5 corridor, with designated pickup/drop-off locations between Kelso and Bellingham.
  • Van transport from WSSB to the central and eastern side of Washington.  Van travels through Pasco, Toppenish, and Goldendale, with stops distributed along the way.  Students north of the Yakima area will be transported via taxi from Toppenish.  
  • Flights from PDX to GEG are available for students residing in the greater Spokane region.  WSSB staff provide support to/from the gate at PDX airport and families meet at GEG airport in Spokane.  

Day Students are provided transportation from ESD 112 transportation services, which covers the Clark County region.  

All transportation is coordinated through WSSB and there is no cost to districts for transportation. 

Oregon students are provided transportation as arranged through their local districts.  

How do I know if my student is eligible to attend WSSB?

Enrollment at WSSB is an individualized and interactive process that includes the evaluation of each student's needs, the potential benefit of attending a program for only blind and low vision students, and a consideration of available supports and services at the school to assist students in achieving their individualized educational program.  

Is WSSB accredited? 

Yes, WSSB is an accredited school program that offers a comprehensive academic program along with the Expanded Core Curriculum to meet the individual needs of blind and low vision learners.  WSSB high school graduates earn a Washington state diploma.    

Does WSSB have nurses?

WSSB has two full-time nurses available all waking hours and supports each student's individual health needs.  WSSB promotes student independence and nurses may instruct students to learn how to manage their medications through a self-medication program.  More information about our nursing services and contact information can be found on the Health Center page.

What if my child has special dietary restrictions?

WSSB can accommodate special diets per their doctor's guidelines as noted on the health center consent and questionnaire. USDA also requires students to submit a special dietary needs request form. 

What kind of after-school activities does WSSB offer?

Recreation:

  • Weekly open recreation night with swimming, crafts, games, and more.
  • Hiking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Self-defense
  • Tandem Cycling
  • Downhill Skiing
  • Movie Outings
  • Bowling
  • Rock Climbing
  • Bluegrass Jam Sessions
  • Plays/Musical Outings

Sports Teams: 

  • Goalball (fall)
  • Powerlifting (winter)
  • Blind Soccer (spring)
  • Hudson's Bay Sports - students may join the Hudson's Bay sports program to participate in track, swimming, wrestling, and more. 
What does staffing and supervision look like during residential and after school?

Outside of regular school hours, residential staffing supervises students in the cottages and during recreation or other after-school programs.  Residential Life Counselors supervise the cottage after school until they leave for school in the morning.  All staff at WSSB are screened through the WA State Patrol, FBI, and OSPI fingerprinting process. 

Do you have summer programs?

Yes, WSSB hosts or partners to offer the following summer programs: 

  • Empower Camp for 11-14 year olds
  • Youth Employment Solutions 1 (YES 1) in partnership with the  WA Department of Services for the Blind for 14-16 year olds
  • NFB BELL Academy, facilitated by the National Federation for the Blind. Hosting 8-13 year olds. Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL)—is a summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want
  • Extended School Year Services (ESY) is available to a limited group of students whose individualized educational program indicates they require instruction during extended breaks to offset the impacts of learning regression or other factors.  

 

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Group of four students at a picnic table during the WSSB's Ice Cream Social all smiling

WSSB serves students in grades 6 through 12. We don't limit what a student can do based on how much vision they have. Instead, we focus on what each student needs to grow more independent.

Every student's path looks different. Some move on to the next grade level or head to high school. Others prepare for a career or technical program, go to college, or start a job. Whatever the next step is, we're here to help your student get there.

How long a student stays at WSSB depends on their needs. Some students stay for a year or two. Others stay longer, until they've built the skills they need for what comes next.

We work hard to create a safe place to learn. We challenge students to grow more independent, and we support them as lifelong learners. Join us at WSSB, and help your student build a bright future.

 

Before You Apply

Two things must be true before your student can apply. First, your student must be enrolled with their local school district in Washington State. If you live out of state, a different policy applies — call us to learn more. Second, your student must qualify for special education services because of a vision impairment.

Step 1: Send In a Referral

To start, someone sends WSSB a referral. This can be a parent, a legal guardian, or someone from your local school district.

Your referral should include:

  • Why you're referring the student to WSSB
  • A copy of the student's current IEP
  • A copy of the student's most recent evaluation
  • A copy of a recent eye report from an eye doctor (if possible, less than two years old)

You can also book a campus tour at any time. Just call 360-947-3309 or email office@wssb.wa.gov.

Families often refer students to WSSB because:

  • Their local district doesn't offer vision-specific services
  • Their student needs more vision support than their local district can give
  • They want a fuller range of vision services in a hands-on school setting
  • Their student needs help building social skills, hobbies, or organization skills tied to their vision needs

Step 2: Send More Records

Once WSSB has your referral, we'll ask for a few more documents: an updated evaluation and IEP, a transcript or grade report (for high school students), and any behavior reports, including discipline records or a Behavior Intervention Plan.

Step 3: We Review and Decide

Our admissions team looks over everything you send. Then we decide whether to move forward with your application.

Step 4: Meet With Your Local School

If we move forward, you'll ask your local school for an IEP meeting and let them know you're considering WSSB. A WSSB staff member will join this meeting.

At the meeting, your IEP team will:

  • Note that your student is being referred for a 35-school-day trial period at WSSB
  • Update the placement section of the IEP
  • Recommend a start date
  • Note a possible end date, for when your student might return to their local school or graduate

Step 5: Get Your Invitation

WSSB sends a formal letter inviting your student to enroll, along with a start date.

Step 6: Start the Trial Period

Your student's first 35 school days at WSSB are a trial period, often called a placement assessment. A team meets at the start of this time to make sure WSSB is a good fit.

During this period, WSSB staff, your family, and your local school work together to:

  • Check that WSSB matches your student's IEP goals
  • Decide if WSSB is the least restrictive environment for your student — the setting that best supports them while keeping them with their peers as much as possible
  • Make any changes needed to help your student succeed

After the Trial Period

After the trial period, the team decides on a final placement. They think about three things: will this option help the student reach their goals; could it cause harm or lower the quality of services the student needs; and can the specialized setting keep everyone safe.

We review every student's placement at least once a year, at an IEP meeting.

Please note: we may deny admission, or end enrollment, for a student who is an adjudicated sex offender.