A Day in the Life of a Student

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind is an active and vital learning environment. Every single moment of the day, from early morning until late at night, something is going on somewhere--either in the classrooms, the gym, playground, art, music, in therapy, at Concordia House, or in the community where students prepare themselves for the adult world. The spirit here is action, learning, sharing, joy, and mutual energetic growth. 

8:45 - 9:15 a.m.

A new day dawns at St. Joseph's School for the Blind and students arrive at school from home in a bus arranged through the local school district. Instruction in life skills begins the moment they arrive.  Teaching independence in travel, encouraging social interaction, following directions, are all an essential part of each student’s educational program.

9:15 – 11:15 a.m.

Students follow their classroom schedules for academic instruction as well as physical education/swimming, life skills, music and art classes. Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies and Orientation and Mobility instruction are provided to promote each student’s ability to learn and grow. 

11:15 - 12:15 a.m.

Students enjoy lunch and socialization with their peers.  Teacher Aides as well as Speech and Occupational Therapists assist students as needed to promote good nutrition and personal independence in activities of daily living.  

12:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Students resume their classroom and therapy schedules. Students have access to a variety of instructional and therapeutic environments.  These include the Enrichment Center for instruction in technology, Concordia House for life skills training, job training sites such as the school store and offices, the adaptive playground and gym and the indoor pool.  

2:45 p.m.

Students are dismissed and board their bus to go home.  Residential students return to Concordia to prepare for their afternoon and evening activities.

2:45 - 5:00 p.m.

Students participate in daily living skills activities including grooming, rest and relaxation and socialization.

5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Residential students enjoy dinner at Concordia House, involve themselves in daily living tasks such as washing dishes, light laundry, and tidying their bedrooms, followed by homework assignments and leisure activities in music, and arts and crafts.

9:30 p.m.

Our residential students prepare for bed, sleeping in a room of their own, and getting the rest they need for another day of learning and action!