Primary Education
Building Skills, Confidence, and Independence from Kindergarten Through 8th Grade
OSB’s Primary Program provides individualized instruction that grows alongside each learner.
With small class sizes, specialized teaching, accessible materials, therapies, assistive technology, and the Expanded Core Curriculum, students build academic, social, communication, and independence skills in a supportive environment.
Program Overview
Grades Served
Kindergarten through 8th Grade
Learning Environment
Small class sizes and individualized instruction
Student Support
Teachers, therapists, O&M specialists, & support staff
Core Focus
Academics, communication, social development, & independence
Individualized Academics and Accessible Instruction
Every student enters the Primary Program with different strengths, learning needs, communication preferences and ways of accessing information.
Instruction is individualized so students can meaningfully participate in academic learning and everyday classroom experiences. Small class sizes allow teachers to provide individual and small-group instruction while adapting lessons, materials and activities for each student.
Depending on a student’s needs, accessible learning may include:
- Braille
- Large print
- Audio materials
- Tactile learning materials
- Hands-on and multisensory instruction
- Accessible digital resources
- Assistive and adaptive technology
- Individualized communication supports
Teachers incorporate accessibility into instruction from the beginning so students can build academic skills while also learning how to access information in ways that work for them.
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
A Strong Foundation for Learning
In Kindergarten through 5th Grade, students build the academic, communication, social, and daily living skills that support success in school and beyond.
Through individualized instruction, hands-on learning, accessible materials, therapies, and daily routines, young learners develop confidence while exploring the world around them.
The Unique Curriculum aligns with the Pennsylvania Core Standards and includes:
- Reading A–Z
- Vocabulary A–Z
- Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
- Ready Pennsylvania (Academic Literacy)
Throughout the school day, students build foundational skills in communication and social interaction through classroom lessons, play, meals, therapy sessions and daily routines, helping them gain confidence while exploring the world around them.
6th-8th Grade
Growing Independence for the Next Step
As students move into middle school, the program places a greater focus on independence, responsibility, self-advocacy, and preparation for high school.
Students continue to receive individualized academic instruction, adaptive technology, therapies, and support aligned with their vision, learning, communication, and developmental needs.
The 6th to 8th Grade Unique Curriculum provides individualized materials, adaptive technology and more to support each student’s specific learning needs. All students receive instruction in the general education curriculum aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards as well as the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for students with visual impairments.
Expanded Core Curriculum
In addition to academic instruction, students receive instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum for students who are blind or visually impaired.
The Expanded Core Curriculum addresses skills that students may not learn incidentally through observation and therefore benefit from direct, specialized instruction.
Areas include:
- Compensatory and functional academic skills
- Orientation and mobility
- Social interaction
- Independent living
- Recreation and leisure
- Sensory efficiency
- Assistive technology
- Career education
- Self-determination
In the Primary Program, these skills are introduced and strengthened in age-appropriate ways throughout the school day.
A younger student might practice making a choice, locating materials or communicating a need, while an older Primary student may work on independently using assistive technology, navigating campus, managing personal belongings or advocating for support.
By practicing these skills across classrooms, therapy sessions and daily routines, students build greater confidence and independence over time.
Building Independence Through Everyday Experiences
For Primary students, learning happens throughout the entire school day.
Classroom lessons, transitions between spaces, meals, play, technology use, personal care routines, therapy sessions and activities across campus all provide opportunities to develop greater independence.
Students are encouraged to make choices, communicate wants and needs, solve problems, interact with peers, navigate familiar environments and take increasing responsibility for themselves as they grow.
Expectations develop alongside each student. The goal is not for every child to reach the same milestone at the same time, but for every student to make meaningful progress toward greater participation, confidence and independence.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
The Primary Program helps students develop skills that grow from their earliest years through the transition to high school. Academics, accessible instruction, communication, assistive technology, mobility, social development and independence are woven together to support the whole student.
For more information about the Primary Program, please contact Amy Didona, Educational Program Supervisor.
