The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

why choose VSDB

Expert Teaching

VSDB’s faculty and staff are simply the best — highly qualified and caring, they dedicate their careers to teaching students with hearing and vision impairments. They have the expertise and the passion to make the difference for your child.

Hands-on learning

Interactive, experiential learning builds skills, knowledge, and confidence that translate into lifelong success — in post-secondary education, in the workforce, and in their communities.

Community of peers

At VSDB, students are “one of many” instead of being the “only one” … often for the first time.

Teenage boy wearing running jersey with VSDB's "V" emblem

Life and career skills

No matter a child’s age upon enrollment, VSDB lays the foundation for lifelong independence and success. Students can access our unique services and programs from birth until “aging out” of Special Education Services at 21.

Engaged student life

Fun can be beneficial! Participation in athletics, social events, and extracurricular activities extend capabilities and enrich daily experience. Weekends at home allow family time, too.

No cost to families

As a state agency, we cover all costs for education, services, transportation, room, and board.

Latest news and events

Register Now online tutorials VSDB Outreach & Perkins Spring, 2020

Register now for Courses 1, 2, &/or 3 Spring, 2020 NEW! Online Self-Paced Tutorials from Perkins for Individuals Working with Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired VSDB Outreach Services purchased access to six online, self-paced tutorials (90 minutes to 10 weeks), and made four of them available Fall,...

VSDB Student Wins 1st in HOSA Competition

One of VSDB's students, Danyeal Davis, attends Valley Career and Technical Center (VCTC) for half of her school day. Recently, she participated in the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Challenge for Veterinary Assistants and won 1st place! This could lead to Danyeal attending the state competition. Congratulations Danyeal!...

VSDB Music Group to Honor Martin Luther King

VSDB's music group, The Jammers, will be performing at the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Celebration at First Presbyterian Church in Staunton on Monday, January 20th from 7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. The program will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King. Our blind and visually impaired middle...

EDUCATION

Department for the Blind

VSDB is in a unique position to provide educational benefits, including assistive technologies and daily living skills taught by expert teachers who are highly qualified to teach blind and visually impaired students, with and without additional disabilities … in addition to academic content that meets Virginia’s statewide standards. LEARN MORE

Department for the Deaf

We use a bilingual approach with direct instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) and English, and provide many benefits that are generally not available in local public schools. Our deaf and hard of hearing students benefit from VSDB’s well-rounded academic program that builds on the gifts, strengths, and interests of the individual. LEARN MORE

Preschool

Young children are capable, curious, active, and hungry for knowledge about their world. At VSDB we provide a developmentally-appropriate, language- and literacy-rich learning environment that will nurture and stimulate them as they grow in their important early years. LEARN MORE

CROPS: Educational Urban Farm

VSDB’s educational farm is located right on our campus so students can take full advantage of our innovative CROPS curriculum in which students learn to plant, grow, and harvest produce … building skills, strengthening academics, and learning entrepreneurship. LEARN MORE

Independent Living

Students learn the skills and realities of managing their lives as adults while in a safe environment — setting up an apartment, preparing meals, managing finances, and maintaining a clean and orderly home — paving the way for a smooth transition after graduation. LEARN MORE

1ST

School for The Deaf & The Blind

180

Years Continued Service

6,400+

Students Served Since 1839

175

Dedicated Employees

$0

Cost to Families

WHAT PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE SAYING

“We love VSDB… VSDB is a wonderful place for [my children] to be. I love that they have direct instruction in sign language, that they don’t have to go through an interpreter, and that they have peers who are deaf and can socialize directly. I’d love to talk more to anyone who wants to ask me about VSDB.”

Christine Ogden,
Parent

“I like that I can communicate with friends and my teachers and we understand each other. My education has helped me grow.”

Brian,
VSDB High School Student

“I have nothing but good things to say about this school…(my son) has made a complete 180 change with his attitude, socially, and with academics. The staff here is great, phenomenal, they really, really love and embrace and bring you in as a family.”

Darren Maxwell,
Parent