Admissions at Maryland School for the Blind
Welcome! We’re so glad you’re considering MSB. We’re here to support families and Local Education Agency (LEA) teams in understanding our unique admissions process—and to help you explore whether MSB could be the right fit for your student.
Who We Serve
- Students ages birth through 21 who are blind or low vision.
- Our staff expertise is wide ranging and we have strong programs in place to support students who in addition to their vision loss have multiple disabilities, behavior challenges, Autism, or are deaf-blind.
- On-campus full-day school for students ages 3–21
- Infant & Toddler services for children birth–4.
- Statewide consults, supporting children in community and school-based settings
Our Admissions Process
- Referral
Your child’s IEP team—including parents and LEA—submits a referral to MSB. - Application Package
Once referred, our Admissions team sends a complete application, including:- Sections for both family and LEA
- Current IEP, evaluations, and medical documentation
- Review by Admissions Team
After receiving all materials, we make one of three decisions:- Enrollment Recommended: we work with your county to schedule a start date
- Deferred: we need more information
- Not Recommended: typically if placement at MSB is not the Least Restrictive Environment or if other supports are more appropriate
- No Cost to Families
MSB is funded through your State or District—there is no tuition or residential fees charged to students or families.
What Happens After Admission
- Program Types
- Early Childhood: Infants, Toddlers, Preschool & Kindergarten
- K–12: Academic instruction + Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
- Residential option available for students who travel from farther away
- Specialized Support
Integrated within IEP goals, support includes Orientation & Mobility, Assistive Technology, Career Education, and more—within the classroom, during community outings, or in weekend & summer activities. - Guided Transitions
MSB prepares students to either graduate with a diploma, earn a certificate of attendance, or return to their local school with enhanced skills and supports.
FAQ — Get Your Questions Answered
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | There is no cost to families—tuition is covered. |
| Can my child transfer mid-year? | Yes! Admissions are rolling. Work with your child’s IEP team to initiate the referral process. |
| Is this academic-focused? | Absolutely. Many students pursue a diploma, including state assessments, while others focus on life skills and ECC goals. |
| Do students live on campus? | About 70% are day students. Residential students stay during the school week (≈185 days/year) and return home on weekends/holidays. |
| Can families visit or tour? | Yes—families are welcome to campus, evening visits, or take our virtual tour anytime. |
Ready to Learn More?
Refer a Student to begin or email admissions@mdschblind.org.
At MSB, every child is seen, heard, and guided to thrive—academically, socially, and in life.
How to make a referral for Special Education Services
- A parent/guardian makes a written referral at the public school the child is currently attending.
- The special education team at the school meets with the guardian and, if the team agrees, requests assessments.
- For special education services based on a visual impairment, eligibility is not based on a doctor’s recommendation or documentation, but rather on how the visual impairment impacts the student’s education. A Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) will be called in to assess the student and make recommendations. Some children only require accommodations and modifications to the classroom environment, while others will require special education services.
- The IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team will meet to discuss the findings and make recommendations.
- If the student begins to receive services through an IEP, they will be provided with a TVI in their current school. This is the ideal situation that most students benefit from.
- If the student receives special education services through an IEP in their school and this is not sufficient to meet their vision needs and allow them to access their education, the IEP team should meet and make a referral to the Maryland School for the Blind. This should be based on data and after trying multiple options of service delivery, keeping in mind that MSB is a more restrictive placement.