Admissions

At Perkins, all we see is possibility

Our mission is simple. Perkins School for the Blind aims to help each student reach his or her greatest potential. On our campus in Watertown, Massachusetts, we offer specialized educational programs for students from ages three to 22 years. Our students range from those on their way to college to those with severe cognitive and physical disabilities. We serve approximately 200 students in four on-campus educational programs:

Finding the right path of discovery for each child

A young boy walks with his teacher in front of the Howe Building.

The Admissions office at Perkins is here to help school districts and parents determine the best course of action for their child. Some students receive their optimum education by living on-campus and others as day students. Our staff members are experts in working with each student on his or her level. They provide them with an intensive and tailored program that ensures that each child can meet his or her individual goals. In most cases the student's local school district and/or state pays the tuition for students enrolled at the school.

At Perkins, we offer our expertise in creating an individualized educational plan for every student at each phase of development. We always hold one very important concept in mind: every single student is unique and full of potential. We believe that specialized education and individual attention can help students achieve their goals.

Understanding the Admission Process

• The referral agent (a school district representative or parent) sends referral paperwork to Perkins including a letter seeking admission, along with educational, clinical and medical reports.
• The Perkins admission team determines if the student might be well placed in one of our programs.
• If the team determines that Perkins might be an appropriate option for the student, we schedule a day for the student and family to visit the school and meet with the program staff.
• Members of the appropriate Perkins program determine admission based on a review of the application materials and results of the visit.

For additional information about Perkins or the admission process, please contact Chris Underwood, Supervisor of Admissions and Diagnostic Evaluation Services, at 617-972-7285, or e-mail Admissions@Perkins.org.

Perkins School for the Blind is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Independent Schools. It is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Department of Mental Retardation, and by the Department of Early Education and Care. Perkins does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin in its admissions, educational policies, scholarships, athletics or any other school programs.