Welcome to the Schermerhorn Program

Aerial view watercolor drawing of campus. — Arial Map of Institute

The Schermerhorn Program serves K-12 students with blindness and visual impairments from the ages of 5 to 21 by offering diverse educational services through a day program and a five-day residential program.

All students participate in individually designed academic and modified academic programs that emphasize independence. Many students have mild secondary disabilities and need a specialized educational environment to be successful academically.

Following a thorough psychological and educational evaluation, a multi-disciplinary team, in cooperation with the student's family, develops a comprehensive Individual Education Plan (IEP) to meet student's educational needs and help them achieve their academic goals. To learn more about what an IEP is, follow this internal link www.nyise.org/iep/

To read about Admissions to the program, follow this internal link www.nyise.org/schermerhorn/admissions/

Classroom Instruction

Career Educational Curriculum

As an extension of our Career Educational Curriculum, activities include work in horticulture, an on-campus coffee shop and practice store, as well as workshops. The career experiences program includes training and job experiences in a variety of jobs on the campus and, for advanced students, in the community.

Once their education is completed the students move on to a variety of settings. This can include an undergraduate education, vocational training, other less restrictive special education and regular education program or entry into the workforce.

Support Services

Schermerhorn Program Brochure

2025 Schermerhorn Brochure as of 2.7.25

Schermerhorn Students Handbook: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible

Students' Rights-Responsibilities Handbook 2024-2025

What it means to be in Schermerhorn, where we reach for the stars!