300 East Swissvale Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
(800) 624-3323 V/TTY (866) 775-5261 (VP)

The Admissions Evaluation is the most important procedure that each new WPSD applicant undergoes. The evaluation is conducted by professionals who are well-versed in the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing-children and are able to communicate effectively in all modes.

This critical first step in assessing a child’s educational needs includes the child’s developmental history and audiological, psycho-educational, medical and, in some cases, speech and language evaluations. On the day of the evaluation, the Coordinator of Children's Services meets with the parents or guardian of the child and completes a case history.

The certified school psychologist administers a battery of tests to help determine the child's candidacy for placement in the school program. The school audiologist tests the child to determine the hearing loss.

The assistant principal of the department in which the student would be placed is included in the admissions team and meets with the parents and child in order to discuss the educational program. The parents also meet with the school nurse for a medical interview. At that time the child's complete health history as well as school health policies are discussed.

After the testing and interviews have been completed, the results of the tests are discussed with the admissions team and then with the parents. Acceptance decisions are based on the availability of an appropriate educational program and must be approved by the child’s local school district and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

If the parents and admissions team agree that a placement at WPSD could be an appropriate option for the child, the parents are given an application packet. WPSD then works cooperatively with the school district to assist them in sending necessary documentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Students are permitted to enroll after the child's placement has been approved by the Department of Education.