6th to 8th Grade
Curriculum: Unique Curriculum provides individualized materials, adaptations, and technology to support each student’s unique learning needs. All students receive instruction in the general education curriculum aligned with the PA Core Standards. Additionally, students receive instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments (ECC).
We provide a deep understanding that children with a wide variety of educational, therapeutic, and social-emotional needs are just typical pre-teens and teens, experiencing the life of a young person transitioning into a young adult.
Class sizes are small so that each student’s program is individualized to that student's needs, in the area of vision but also in positive behavior support, cognitive functioning, and physical needs. Students receive a lot of 1:1 attention and have access to their Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) all day.
Students have a team of experts on their side, including a TVI, Physical Therapists, a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), and the Technology Staff and Network Services team. Therapists work directly with the classroom TVI and the Paraeducators to ensure that everyone is trained appropriately to reinforce and practice the related service techniques that are unique to each student.
The program places an emphasis on future goals. Students have opportunities to learn and practice basic on-campus jobs. Eventually, as they grow into their high school years, students prepare for off-campus work. "Soft skills," such as being on time, being polite and using appropriate social skills, are also taught directly, reinforced, and encouraged. Extracurricular activities, such as singing in the Mixed Ensemble, swim team, goalball, cheerleading, wrestling, and track are available.
Overbrook School for the Blind serves children who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or visually impaired with additional disabilities in every program. Every student, regardless of their ability level has an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) developed to meet their specific needs. Each program is aligned with the PA core standards and the Expanded Core Curriculum for students who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or visually impaired with additional disabilities. Overbrook’s teachers are highly qualified Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) and our therapists have a wealth of experience and professional development working with students with visual impairments. Our cutting-edge educational programs use low- and high-tech assistive technology to support our students. Staff receives on-going professional development in all areas of visual impairment including Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) as well as in other specialty areas, state-mandated training, and core subjects. Our staff share their expertise presenting at state and national conferences.
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