1. Home
  2. How To Enroll At WSSB You are here

How to Enroll 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

How do I enroll?

Directions for the enrollment process are located in a two-phase process and outlined on the enrollment page.  If you're interested in attending WSSB, consider scheduling a campus tour.  Email office@wssb.wa.gov to schedule or ask any questions about WSSB.  

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)
  • Coming Soon - 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.  

 

Empower Your Future at WSSB

At WSSB, we offer comprehensive educational programs tailored for 6th to 12th graders. Our focus is not on visual acuity, but on each student’s unique needs and their journey towards greater independence.

Our students’ next steps may vary - advancing to the next grade level, transitioning to high school, preparing for a career or tech program, heading to college, or stepping into employment. We’re here to support every step of that journey.

The duration of a student’s enrollment at WSSB is flexible, based on the skills they need to develop for their next step. Some students may spend one or two years with us, while others may stay longer.

At WSSB, we prioritize providing a safe learning environment that challenges students to develop independence skills and supports them in their journey as lifelong learners. Join us at WSSB, and empower your future.

Enrollment at WSSB: A Two-Step Process

Step 1: Submitting a Referral

The enrollment process at WSSB starts with a referral. This can be submitted by a parent, legal guardian, adult student, or a representative from the local school district. The referral should include:

  • The reason for the referral to WSSB
  • A copy of the current Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • A copy of the most recent 3-year reevaluation
  • A copy of the most recent eye report from a medical provider

Reasons for referral might include:

  • Lack of vision-specific services in the local district
  • Need for more intensive vision-specific services
  • Desire for a broader range of vision support services in an immersive educational setting
  • Need for development of social skills, leisure time activities, and/or organizational skills related to vision needs

Once the referral is submitted, both the student’s local district and the parent will be notified. WSSB will then review the submission and decide whether to proceed with the enrollment application or terminate the process.

Step 2: Placement Assessment and Initial Enrollment 

For new students, enrollment begins with a 35 school-day placement assessment period. During this time, a multidisciplinary team will evaluate whether WSSB’s programs and the student are a good fit, based on the needs outlined in the IEP and the least restrictive environment requirements.

After the assessment period, the team will consider placement at WSSB, guided by the following principles:

  • The placement option should have a reasonably high probability of helping students achieve their annual goals
  • Any potential harmful effects on the students or the quality of services they need should be considered
  • The safety of the students and others should be appropriately supported within the specialized environment to best meet their individual needs

Placement for all students will be determined at least annually at an IEP meeting. Please note that admissions and retention at WSSB may be denied for a student who is an adjudicated sex offender.