School Profile
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- Navigate this page:
- Student Access to Services
- New Early Childhood Education Center
- Applied Academics Center
- School for the Blind Addition
- Campus Programs and Services
- Campus Educational Programs Cedar Springs Academy
- After-School and Residential Programs
- Health and Related Services
- SC Interagency Deaf-Blind Project
- Sign Language Interpreting Services
School ProfileFall 2014 
www.scsdb.org Introduction The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind is the state’s only specialized school for students who are deaf, blind, or sensory multidisabled. It offers pre K-12 educational programs on its main campus in Spartanburg and specialized vision and hearing services in school districts and homes throughout the state. The school serves as a resource center to families and professionals and is committed to maintaining strong partnerships to better serve the state’s sensory disabled population. The 160-acre main campus is located in Upstate South Carolina. Satellite outreach offices are located in Columbia, the state’s capital. The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind is a state agency and the terms “school” and “agency” are often used interchangeably, but for the purposes of this document, the term “school” will be used when referring to the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and its outreach services. Community The Spartanburg-Greenville community offers:
Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC – less than four hours’ drive from coastal retreats
temperature of 60 degrees
universities in Upstate South Carolina
History In the late 1840’s, Reverend Newton Pinckney Walker saw the need for educational programs for South Carolina’s deaf children. He traveled to the Georgia School for the Deaf where he learned the teaching methods he would later use in the state’s first classroom for deaf students. He then began teaching five students on the site that is now the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind’s main campus in Spartanburg. A department for students who are blind was added in 1855. In the early years, the school was the private property of Reverend Walker, but by 1856 Reverend Walker had convinced the State Legislature to provide financial support and the school became a state agency. Over time, the school has increased its state allocation, identified federal funding sources, and implemented fees for outreach services. In 1979, a foundation was established, and today The Walker Foundation continues to provide financial assistance to the school. A School for the Multihandicapped (later renamed Cedar Springs Academy) opened in 1977 and completed full renovations in 2011. In 1984, outreach services were added. In 1986, a vocational facility (now known as the Applied Academics Center) opened. A learning resource center opened in 1996 and includes a library, a small television studio, and a parent/professional library. A transition living center opened in 2004 to help students further develop independent living skills during the high school years. A stadium was completed in 2009 as an addition to the sports complex, which includes an athletic center and a football/soccer field and track. In recent years, the school has developed multiple partnerships with colleges, state agencies, businesses, and charitable organizations. Among other unique programs, these partnerships have led to a horseback riding program through HALTER (Handicapped Athletes Learning to Enjoy Riding) and the Kelly’s Kids program for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years through First Steps Early Head Start.
The work of the school is overseen by an all-volunteer board of commissioners appointed by the governor. The board appoints the school president who is a state agency head within South Carolina state government. The president is responsible for the administration and leadership of the school and reports to the board. The 11 member board includes representatives of:
Ex officio board members include:
Board members are appointed for six-year terms. The board holds regular meetings on a quarterly basis, and special meetings are called as needed. The board supports and often attends the school’s special events. Funding The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind is an independent state agency enabling it to go directly to the State Legislature for funding and support after submitting its formal budget request to the governor. Historically a strong legislative state, South Carolina has seen a trend toward more administrative oversight by the governor in recent years. The projected annual budget for this year is $24,587,881 provided through the following sources: 2014-2015 Projected Budget
1 Includes fees for services to school districts, businesses, and other organizations; Medicaid funds; and private contributions
A Summary of Services Report is compiled each year reflecting student enrollment based on the fiscal year (July 1- June 30). Based on the report, students were enrolled as follows over the last three years:
2 Formerly School for the Multihandicapped 3 Early Head Start Program Based on the Summary of Services Report, the following non-enrolled students were served over the last three years:
4 Some students in these categories are also enrolled 5 Only non-enrolled students are eligible for summer camps. Some non-students receive services through the school’s statewide outreach program. These include sign language interpreting services, conferences, and workshops. Student Data Student data is submitted annually to the State Department of Education for the State School Report Card. The data below was gathered on the 45th day of school each year.
Student Access to Services The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind works with local school districts to match children with the best educational options to meet their individual needs. However, South Carolina is a parent choice state, and the student placement decision ultimately rests with the parents. The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind is a public, state supported school, and students do not pay tuition. On campus students pay a minimal annual activity fee, which can be waived if personal financial situations warrant.
Currently, the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind employs 342 individuals on a full-time, permanent basis and 54 individuals on a temporary basis. The school supplements its permanent workforce through contracts with individuals and corporations to meet its needs for specialized employees such as therapists, interpreters, and early interventionists. Corporate contracts are also in place for food service, housekeeping, and security as well as facility improvement projects. An organizational chart showing administrative leadership is attached.
The SC State Department of Education has named the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind a Palmetto Gold School for 12 straight years. The award recognizes excellent academic achievement as reflected on the State School Report Card. The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind is one of very few schools in the state that has attained this designation for multiple, consecutive years. The school is accredited by:
Council on Accreditation and School Improvement
of Schools and Programs for the Deaf Partnerships The school partners with:
of their children
the state
financial needs
education and accessibility statewide Among others, current key partnerships include:
Facilities The 160-acre main campus in Spartanburg includes:
Facilities also include satellite outreach offices in Columbia. Building Projects More than $8.5 million in additional state funding has been allocated by the State Legislature to make substantial facility improvements over the next few years. Current building projects include: New Early Childhood Education Center Students will have more room to move, grow, and explore in the new Early Childhood Education Center. The new 9,000 square foot building will serve all campus students under the age of five, and will allow for more non-disabled children to attend through the school’s reverse mainstream program. It will also allow for expansion of elementary programs in existing buildings. Applied Academics Center The many new programs in the Applied Academics Center will be served better by a new building and extensive renovations. These new facilities, designed to meet growing technology needs, will house the Denny’s Kitchen and food service classrooms, computer labs, technology intensive programs, the Retail Training Center, carpentry, industrial technology, auto mechanics, welding, small engine repair, agriculture, horticulture, small animals, and prevocational training. School for the Blind Addition Larger classrooms with learning centers for elementary education will be important features of the new educational wing in the School for the Blind. The 9,500 square foot addition will allow for conversion of old classrooms to space for therapists, counselors, computer labs, and common areas. Campus Programs and Services The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind provides three academic programs, an applied academics center, and an after-school/residential program on its main campus in Spartanburg. The programs are supported by a wide range of health and related services. Campus Educational Programs Cedar Springs Academy Formerly the School for the Multihandicapped, Cedar Springs Academy provides educational programs for students, ages 3-21, with a vision or hearing disability and at least one additional disability. The academy provides:
School for the Blind Student in grades Pre K-12 have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential in the School for the Blind through:
School for the Deaf Students in grades Pre K-12 are prepared for lifelong success in the School for the Deaf. Services include:
Applied Academics Center The Applied Academics Center prepares students for employment and/or continued education in post-secondary, career, or technical institutions. Services include:
technology, animal systems, carpentry, hospitality management and operations, architecture and construction, business and mar- keting, early childhood education, web and digital communications, welding, small engine repair, and food science and dietetics
center training, and production and assembly training
continued education
partners After-School and Residential Programs Services in the Residential Life Program include:
Health and Related Services Health and Related Services provides health, developmental, and behavioral services to campus students. Services include:
Information Technology Information Technology supports both campus and outreach programs with instructional, assistive, and operational technology. Among other initiatives, recurring state funds have made the implementation of one-to-one technology and the establishment of a technology integration coordinator position a reality within the last year. Through the one-to-one initiative, every student will receive a MacBook Air or an iPad. The technology integration coordinator provides teacher training and support and technology learning resources for teachers, staff, and students. Outreach Services Outreach services are available in counties throughout the state for individuals who are deaf or blind, their families, and the professionals who serve them. Services include: Vision Services Vision Services are available to school districts throughout the state. They include assessments, teacher consultation, contractual teachers of the visually impaired, orientation and mobility training, access technology expertise, and educational events for students, parents, and professionals statewide. Hearing Services Hearing services are available on a contractual basis to school districts statewide. They include assessments, teacher consultation, and teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing. Early Intervention Early intervention services are available for children birth to age 3. Services are provided in the child’s home and include assessments of the child’s strengths and needs; development of Individual Family Service Plans; family training services; referrals to specialized services such as speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, sign language instruction, and orientation and mobility; referrals to community resources; home-to-school transition services; and educational materials and activities. Kelly’s Kids Through a partnership with Spartanburg County First Steps Early Head Start, services are available to eligible children, 6 weeks to 3 years old, who are sensory disabled as well as typically developing. SC Interagency Deaf-Blind Project The Deaf-Blind Project assists parents, teachers, and other service providers throughout the state address the needs of individuals from birth to 21 years of age who have combined vision and hearing losses. SC Instructional Resource Center The Resource Center manages the distribution of braille and large print state-adopted textbooks for all students in the state who are legally blind Sign Language Interpreting Services Qualified certified sign language interpreters are available statewide for a variety of settings including medical, legal, social services, higher education, and business. Conferences and Workshops Conferences and workshops are offered throughout the year for students, parents, and professionals. Strategic Plan The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind develops a school-wide strategic plan on an annual basis and reports its accomplishments in a yearly state agency accountability report submitted to the state’s Executive Budget Office. The school also submits a Five-Year Strategic Plan to the State Department of Education and updates it annually. Progress on the Five-Year Strategic Plan is reported annually to the State Department of Education. The school’s mission is to ensure that the individuals we serve realize maximum success through high quality educational programs, outreach services, and partnerships. The school’s vision is to be the statewide leader in education and accessibility for individuals who deaf, blind, or sensory multidisabled. Values include: education, accessibility, partnerships, leadership, accountability, diversity, teamwork, relationships, character, and independence.
Even though the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind provides quality educational services and maintains excellent partnerships throughout the state, continuous improvement is an ongoing goal. The board has identified the following areas as challenges for the school over the next few years:
Conclusion The board, administration, and staff of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind are proud of the school’s many educational accomplishments in recent years. However, we recognize that building relationships with stakeholders, funding providers, and student referral sources is critical to the long-term success of our agency and to ensuring an ongoing, improved quality of life for South Carolina’s deaf, blind, and sensory multidisabled residents. 
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