Welcome
Welcome to Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped on the Web. Our school for the blind and visually handicapped is the only school of its kind in the great state of Wisconsin. There are currently students with varying degrees of visual impairment enrolled full time, with other students, receiving short term educational services. WSVH offers state-standard K-12 education, extracurricular activities, meals/housing, as well as the latest in adapted technology to its participants.
We have great pride in our school. Our mascot is the Badger and our school colors are orange and black. School pride is a feeling deep down inside of us. We feel it each morning when we walk through the front doors of our school. It’s pride, it's caring, it's treating each other with respect and it holds a very special place in our hearts! You know it when you see it, hear it, and feel it. It is very much alive and well at WSVH!
Our education is thorough. Most of our staff is VI certified by the state, and experienced in teaching blind children. We offer all required academics in a format customized to each individual. Along with core academic content, we offer physical education and health, vocational education, independent living skills development, Orientation and Mobility, music--general and individualized vocal, and instrumental--Braille, technology, as well as specialized classes and therapy for students with multiple handicaps. If parents find the school lacking a course they desire for their child, they have the additional option of enrolling him/her in that course at an area public school through our inter-school co-op program.
WSVH offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Students can train and compete in everything from track and field to swimming, wrestling, and cheerleading. The athletic teams offer an excellent opportunity for students to stay fit, have fun, and socialize with kids from the community, as well as other blind children and teens from around the country. Non-athletic activities include area Scouts, volunteer community service, student council participation and activities, horseback riding, 4-H, speech and music competitions, and our annual prom. The recreation department takes care of what little downtime remains with optional outings, bike rides, bingo games, and supervised hangout sessions in our teen center.
Gem of Rock County
The Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped (WSVH) is located in southern Rock County on the south bank of the Rock River. It has been in this residential Janesville location since June 1, 1852, although the school was actually incorporated on February 9, 1850, four months after instruction had begun for its first eight pupils. Though several changes have occurred in its programming, facilities, and grounds, its original mission - providing an exemplary education to prepare visually handicapped students to live independent, full, and rewarding lives - has remained the same for those who have served as faculty and staff throughout its history.
Today the school serves boys and girls from ages three to twenty-one who have needs that cannot be met in a regular classroom setting. For some students this means several years at WSVH; others come for a shorter period, to work on skills such as Braille, adaptive technology, Orientation and Mobility, daily living skills, vocational education needs, social interaction, recreation and leisure, career education, visual efficiency training, or compensatory academic skills.
Students enroll in either residential or day programs. Those who live within a 40 mile radius are transported daily. Students farther away are bused home (with the exception of those who live in the northernmost part of the state who are flown) each Friday afternoon and return on Sunday evening. This helps ensure family cohesiveness. The youngest students, in the early education program (ages three to five), are day students only. We are confident that this program will see continued growth.
Teachers, staff, and parents never tire of seeing changes in WSVH students. These are most noticeable in the areas of self-confidence, independence, and belief in their own abilities. Being able to spend time with peers who understand their struggles, because they've "been there" brings a sense of camaraderie, trust, and determination to overcome obstacles. Blind and visually impaired teachers help reinforce students' realization that there is nothing, within reason, they cannot do through hard work and determination. These types of experiences may not be as readily available in any other school situation in the state.
As parents and staff, we feel that the WSVH story must be circulated throughout the state. It is our desire that each parent of a visually impaired child knows what we have found to be true: WSVH is a rare gem worth much more than money. It has given a harbor, help, and hope to hundreds.
Thank you for visiting our Web site. Keep browsing to find out if WSVH is right for your child. However, remember that students are placed at our school through an IEP process with your local school district. The IEP team must consider our school the least restrictive environment for the student and an appropriate placement. Call us if you have any questions at 608.758.6120. Ask about upcoming open-house events such as the track meets in the fall, winter Holiday concerts, or the musical solo and ensemble in the spring. Both events are open to high school participants from public schools around the state. All ages enjoy our annual Braille Olympics, also in the spring. This event gives students the chance to exhibit and sharpen their Braille skills by competing in Braille reading and writing games.
Tours of our facility can be arranged with Mandy Jordan at 608-758-6141. Please keep in mind that placement must be through the IEP process at your local school district.
If your agency, organization or civic group would like to host a presentation on the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, please contact Dan Wenzel at dan.wenzel@wcbvi.k12.wi.us
If you have suggestions about what you would like to see on our site, please contact our Webmaster at webmaster@wcbvi.k12.wi.us and let us know. This web site is to benefit you, and we want it to include information that is essential to you, your child, or those you work with. Our home is always open to you, so visit often.
To view documents found on this website Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. This program is a free download and can be found on www.Adobe.com.