Vision and Hearing

The Approved Private Schools (APSs) are private schools, licensed by the State Board of Private Academic Schools or PA Charter Schools for Deaf and Blind, which are exempt from licensure. Both groups are approved by the Secretary of Education to provide a free appropriate special education for students with severe disabilities. The schools are eligible to receive funds from the school districts and/or the Commonwealth for the education of these students. Pennsylvania currently has four PA chartered and 30 non-charter APSs for which the Department approves funding. These schools provide a program of special education for over 4,000 day and residential students. A Directory of Approved Private and PA Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind(PDF) is available by mail from the Bureau of Special Education.