Why SCSDB is different

Academics
The SC State Department of Education (SDE) named SCSDB a Palmetto Gold School for its academic accomplishments and a Red Carpet School for its outstanding customer service and family-friendly environment – achievements that we are very proud of!

• Palmetto Gold School – SCSDB scored Excellent on the Absolute Performance Rating and Good on the Growth Rating, based on the state’s school accountability report card.
• Red Carpet School – SCSDB is nationally recognized in the Red Carpet Schools Program.  The Program awards schools that are warm and inviting places where parents, guardians and community members are welcomed and encouraged to be actively involved in school activities.

SCSDB is accredited by the Southern Associates of Colleges and Schools/Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS/CASI), the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) and SDE. 

Our Spartanburg campus offers services for students who are Blind, Deaf and sensory multi-disabled.

• Students who are Blind receive on-campus education programs, participate in a mainstreaming program within the Spartanburg County districts, prevocational/vocational training program, assistive technology and independent living skills.
• Students who are Deaf receive on-campus educational programs, participate in a mainstreaming program within the Spartanburg County  School districts, prevocational/vocational training program and independent living skills.
• Students who are sensory multi-disabled receive on-campus functional academic programs, participate in prevocational/vocational training programs, assistive technology and independent living skills.

The School offers a Career and Technology Education  (CTE) Program that hosts a Career Training Program, an Industrial Skills Development Center and an Occupational Diploma Program. The CTE Department currently offers courses including (but not limited to), Career Development, Computer Applications/Keyboarding, Computer Science, Digital Arts, Driver Education, Horticulture, Job Shadowing/Mentoring, Building Construction, Family and Consumer Science.

Library and Media Services are also available for students at SCSDB.

Special Programs
SCSDB provides its students with an exceptional Residential Program that compliments its educational services. The Residential Program includes athletics & fitness, enrichment classes (music, technology, dance, community service and more), employment opportunities, independent living skills development, recreational programs, and a tutoring program.

• Athletics & Fitness – SCSDB supports a comprehensive Special Olympics program and sports programs for wheelchair athletes, and has basketball, football, volleyball, soccer and tracksports teams, as well as blind sports teams, such as goalball and beeper ball.
• Residential life – Residential students of all ages live in comfortable residential halls throughout the week and travel home on weekends. Residential Life staff are dedicated to provide for their students’ safety and needs. They maintain a caring, educational environment with the comforts and expectations of home. Staff members prepare children for bed, check on sleeping students throughout the night and assist in getting students ready for school each morning.
• Transitional Living Program – High school students are offered to live in residential halls similar to that of a home environment, in which the student learns skills to prepare them for community living (household management, meal planning, etc.).

The Health Center provides 24-hour on-duty registered nurses and an on-call physician.  Cedar Springs Academy has registered nurses on duty when students are on campus.

SCSDB provides statewide bus transportation for its students daily, on weekends and during holidays. Busses are equipped with assistive devices for students and each bus has a special needs trained bus driver and bus attendant. 

The Volunteer Program at SCSDB is just one more way that individuals in the community show their support.  Volunteer positions include classroom assistants, clerical assistants, tutors and athletic/special event helpers.

Family, Friends and Role Models
Families are encouraged to visit SCSDB campus any time, with on-campus lodging available at no charge.  Parents and families are welcome to attend meetings, special programs, athletic events and other activities, including dining with their child during meal times.

Students are greatly encouraged to connect with their peers to develop rich friendships.  Students can attend activities sponsored by local schools and community clubs, as well as attend several on-campus programs.

SCSDB students have the opportunity to meet and interact with successful adults who are deaf or blind.  These adults are teachers, counselors and technicians from SCSDB, members of its Board of Commissioners and professionals and leaders within the community. Mentoring programs are also available.

*This information can be accessed at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind’s website at http://www.scsdb.k12.sc.us.