Maryland School for the Blind · Admissions
A school designed for your child’s independence and future
Specialized education, therapy, and life skills support for students who are blind, low vision, or have a visual impairment, from birth through age 21.
No cost to families. MSB is funded through your school district.
Or email admissions@mdschblind.org
No tuition. No residential fees. No cost to your family.
MSB is funded through your state or local school district. There’s no cost to families.
Who we serve
Built for students with visual impairments at every stage
Infants & toddlers
Early support from birth through age 4, in home and community settings and natural environments.
School-age students
Full-day on-campus program for students ages 3 through 21.
Statewide outreach
Consultative and programmatic support for children in schools and communities across Maryland.
We serve students who are blind or low vision, including those with multiple disabilities, behavior challenges, Autism, or who are deaf-blind. Our staff expertise spans a wide range of needs.
Support designed around each student
Early childhood
Infants, toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten, plus Infant and Toddler Services from birth through age 4.
K through 12
Academic instruction plus Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC): orientation & mobility, assistive technology, career education, and more.
Residential option
Available for students who travel from farther away: Sunday through Thursday nights, home on weekends and holidays. About 70% of students are day students.
Secondary transition
Students graduate with a diploma, earn a certificate of attendance, or return to their local school with stronger skills.
The process starts with a referral from your IEP team
What families want to know
What does it cost for my child to attend MSB?
Nothing. MSB is funded through your state or local school district. Families pay no tuition or residential fees.
Can my child enroll mid-year?
Yes. Enrollment is rolling, so you can begin the referral process at any point during the school year.
Will my child still work toward a diploma?
Many MSB students pursue a standard diploma, including state assessments. Others work toward a certificate of attendance or build life and transition skills. We meet each student where they are.
Does my child have to live on campus?
No. About 70% of students are day students who go home each day. Residential students stay Sunday through Thursday and return home on weekends and holidays.
Can we visit before deciding?
Absolutely. Families are welcome to visit campus or explore our virtual tour at any time.
My child hasn’t been evaluated yet, where do we start?
Start with your child’s current public school. Submit a written request for an evaluation, and the school’s special education team will meet with you to determine next steps. If a vision-related assessment is appropriate, a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) will evaluate your child and make recommendations. This process is handled through your local public school district, not through MSB directly. MSB only provides an assessment when we’re specifically asked to by an IEP team.
Ready to take the next step?
Fill out our interest form and our admissions team will walk you through the process and answer every question.
Or reach us at admissions@mdschblind.org
- Serving all of Maryland
- Birth through age 21
- No cost to families
- Rolling admissions
- All visual impairments welcome