The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for the 2000-2001 school year. This is the most prestigious education honor in the country for elementary and secondary schools. The award is given for excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement, parent involvement and community support. It is an award for hard work and effective education.

To compete for the honor, the School for Blind Children was required to submit a detailed self-assessment document. Later the School received a three-day on-site visit from a special education administrator, who observed activities, sat in on classes and interviewed members of the staff. The quotations heading our Web site sections come from that site visit report.

The School for Blind Children was one of 264 award-winning schools to receive a Blue Ribbon for the 2000-2001 school year. It is the only school for blind and disabled youth to ever receive a Blue Ribbon.

The Blue Ribbon Schools program was established in 1982 by the U.S. Department of Education to identify and recognize outstanding public and private schools across the United States. In the past 18 years, more than 3,500 schools have been recognized for their excellence, about 45% of those that apply.