On Campus Programs

A thriving campus

Step onto our campus in Watertown, Massachusetts and you will first be struck by its beauty. Next you will sense the rich history we have as the first school in the United States for people who are visually impaired. Walk along the winding paths and through the halls and you will inevitably find Perkins' greatest resource: the energy of the students and the passion of the staff.

Over 200 students populate Perkins' residential and day programs, thriving on the guidance of an exceptional, interdisciplinary team of highly trained teachers, clinicians, residential and support staff.

Our students can enjoy an academic experience similar to that of any child, but also have access to the specialized services that are critical for their development into adults. Students also benefit from everyday interaction with their peers and friends and special programs in the community.

Building educational programs for every student

At Perkins, students from birth to 22 experience a wide range of skill-building activities, ranging from physical and language therapy to prevocational training and independent living skills. Enrollment options for age-appropriate, academic work range from ungraded classes to an accredited, traditional high school program. Very few students spend all their school years at Perkins. Most attend Perkins for a few years before or after attending public schools.

Committed to developing each child's maximum level of self-reliance and independence, Perkins' staff designs an individualized educational plan for each student. Perkins' academic program is also complemented by participation in group activities such as scouting, chorus, plays and horticultural projects in the school's greenhouse and gardens.