The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, located in the heart of Oakland, Pennsylvania, is an educational facility committed to training visually impaired students with additional disabilities.
Founded more than 100 years ago as a facility to provide the best education for boys and girls who were blind, the School has never wavered from this mandate.
As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 175 students annually from 242 school districts within western Pennsylvania.
Students may enroll at age three and they can continue until 21.
The curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of life skills. Teachers and therapists collaborate on planning and implementing effective, individualized educational programs.
Residential facilities are available for those students who live in outlying districts.
Some pre-school age students have the single disability of blindness and their early training will prepare them for eventually completing their education in a public school.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked PA School
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 167 students
- Yearly Tuition: $25,000
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
School History
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Year Founded
1887
Student Body
Total Students
167 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
26%
State avg.: 27%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
33 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.:
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$25,000
Acceptance Rate
85%
National avg.: 82%
Application URL
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children cost?
Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children's tuition is approximately $25,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children?
The acceptance rate of Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children is 85%, which is higher than the national average of 81%.
What is Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children's ranking?
Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children?
The application deadline for Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children located?
Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children is located in the North Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. There are 5 other private schools located in North Oakland.
School Calendar
View the Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
First Day of School!
August 24, 2026 (Monday)
Nearby 草榴社区 Schools
The nearest high school to Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children is Oakland Catholic High School (0.2 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Falk Laboratory School (0.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Small Wonders At Upmc (0.4 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Oakland Catholic High School ![Oakland Catholic High School Photo]( "Oakland Catholic High School Photo")
All-girls (Catholic)
144 N Craig St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-6633
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-6633
0.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 476 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 32 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4720 5th Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 208-3422
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 208-3422
0.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 744 students Avg. class size: 21 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4060 Allequippa St
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-8020
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-8020
0.4 miles
Gr: K-8 | 430 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 23 Tuition listed
Small Wonders At Upmc
Daycare / Preschool
425 N Craig St Ste 401
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 687-3677
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 687-3677
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 23 students
University Child Development Center
Daycare / Preschool
635 Clyde Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 383-2100
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 383-2100
0.4 miles
Gr: NS-K | 15 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Oakland Catholic High School ![Oakland Catholic High School Photo]( "Oakland Catholic High School Photo")
All-girls (Catholic)
144 N Craig St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-6633
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-6633
0.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 476 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 32 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4720 5th Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 208-3422
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 208-3422
0.3 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 744 students Avg. class size: 21 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Western Psych Institute & Clinic
Alternative School
3811 Ohara St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-1000
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-1000
0.5 miles
Gr: 3-12 | 56 students
555 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-7518
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-7518
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 Acceptance rate listed
5711 Howe St
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 361-7182
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 361-7182
1.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 41 students Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
4060 Allequippa St
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-8020
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-8020
0.4 miles
Gr: K-8 | 430 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 23 Tuition listed
Western Psych Institute & Clinic
Alternative School
3811 Ohara St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-1000
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-1000
0.5 miles
Gr: 3-12 | 56 students
Western Psychiatric Institute
Special Education School
3811 O''hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-0725
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-0725
0.5 miles
Gr: 5-8
555 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-7518
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-7518
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 Acceptance rate listed
St. Benedict The Moor School
(Catholic)
2900 Bedford Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 682-3755
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 682-3755
0.8 miles
Gr: K-8 | 208 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Small Wonders At Upmc
Daycare / Preschool
425 N Craig St Ste 401
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 687-3677
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 687-3677
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 23 students
University Child Development Center
Daycare / Preschool
635 Clyde Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 383-2100
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 383-2100
0.4 miles
Gr: NS-K | 15 students
Margaret Shadick Cyert Center For Early Education & Prog
Daycare / Preschool
1060 Morewood Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 268-2149
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 268-2149
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-K | 17 students
Carnegie Mellon Cyert Center For Early Education
Daycare / Preschool
1060 Morewood Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 268-1515
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 268-1515
0.6 miles
Gr: K | 7 students Tuition listed
555 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-7518
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-7518
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 9 Acceptance rate listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
225 Midlan Drive
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 222-5064
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 222-5064
9309.7 miles
Gr: K-3 | 232 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
231 Park Ave
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 225-5380
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 225-5380
9310.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,054 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
201 Allison Ave
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 223-5080
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 223-5080
9310.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 387 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
201 Allison Avenue
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 223-5060
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 223-5060
9311.2 miles
Gr: 7-8 | 205 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 E Wheeling St
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 223-5150
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 223-5150
9311.2 miles
Gr: K-6 | 864 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
School Reviews
Endorse Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Choosing Between a Traditional 草榴社区 School and a Microschool
Compare traditional private schools and microschools to understand differences in academics, class size, flexibility, cost, and student experience before choosing the best educational fit.
The Second Visit Strategy: What to Look for After the Open House
A second campus visit can reveal what an open house cannot. Learn what to observe, which questions to ask, and how to determine whether a private school is truly the right fit for your child.
How Policy Changes Could Affect Your Tuition Bill in 2026
Learn how federal and state policy changes may affect private school tuition, financial aid, tax benefits, and your family's education budget.
