Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Admissions

  • How much does it cost for a student to attend CSB, and who pays that cost?
    The cost for CSB differs based upon whether the student is a day student or a residential student.

    Residential students reside in our dormitories on campus from Sunday to Friday weekly, traveling home on the weekends. The cost to the district for a residential student is 10% of the unreimbursed costs to the state for educating and housing the student. This includes educational services, residential services, food, board, and all transportation costs. Generally, this amount can vary between $17,000 to $18,000 annually. This amount is deducted directly from the state allocation of funds for the school district; the district is not invoiced or billed.

    For day students, those who return home daily, CSB does not charge the district any fees and no funds are taken from the district. However, the district is fully responsible for transporting day students to and from CSB each day.
  • A parent in our district is requesting placement at CSB. What happens next?
    Please have an LEA representative reach out to Carla Shah (cshah@csb-cde.ca.gov) to request an application packet.
  • Can the parents make the referral to CSB themselves?
    No. The California Code of Regulations (§17665(a)) requires that the LEA (school district) make the referral to CSB by submitting an application packet to CSB. If a parent calls CSB requesting an application packet, they will be referred back to their LEA to make the request.
  • Can families and districts take a tour of CSB before making the decision to refer?
    We encourage families and districts tour our campus and see all that CSB has to offer. Tours provide an opportunity to have many of your questions answered. You may schedule a tour by contacting Carla Shah, who can be reached at 510-936-5623 or cshah@csb-cde.ca.gov.
  • Can CSB attend an IEP meeting before a referral has been made to CSB, so that we can learn more about the program options at CSB?
    CSB does not attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for students who are not currently enrolled in our program. We are happy to send written information regarding our referral process as well as our range of program options, but are unable to attend IEP meetings or make recommendations or programming commitments for students who have not yet been referred to CSB.

    We encourage the district and/or family take a tour of CSB prior to the referral. This is a great way to see what CSB has to offer and familiarize yourself with our campus and programming. Tours are coordinated by Carla Shah, who can be reached at 510-936-5623 or cshah@csb-cde.ca.gov.
  • I am an LEA representative looking for a referral packet. Where do I find one?
    Contact Carla Shah in the CSB Admissions Office at 510-936-5623 or cshah@csb-cde.ca.gov to request a referral packet.
  • Is there a deadline to submit referral packets?
    No. CSB offers rolling admissions and accepts referral packets year-round. Referring teams hoping to schedule an Assessment of Suitability for Placement at CSB during the current school year are encouraged to submit a completed referral packet by February 1st. Referring teams hoping to schedule an Assessment of Suitability of Placement at CSB to begin at the start of next school year are encouraged to submit a completed referral packet by May 1st.
  • At our son's last IEP meeting, the team agreed to submit an application for admission to CSB. That was months ago, and we haven't heard anything. What's going on?
    Contact your son's IEP case manager for a status update. You are also welcome to contact Carla Shah in the CSB Admissions Office at 510-936-5623 or cshah@csb-cde.ca.gov to inquire if a referral packet has been requested or received for your son.

    The Admissions Office at the California School for the Blind (CSB) is available to assist districts and families move through the many steps of CSB's admission process. We are committed to keeping the process flowing smoothly from step to step and to minimizing unnecessary delays through ongoing communication with referring teams. Referring teams are encouraged to contact the CSB Admissions Office by phone or email for updates along the way.
  • The IEP team carefully timed the referral to CSB so that the student could start an Assessment of Suitability for Placement at the beginning of middle school. We have been informed that the student still needs to enroll in a middle school program in the district, why is this?
    All applicants to CSB must maintain enrollment in a district program prior to and for the duration of the Assessment of Suitability for Placement at CSB for two reasons: (1) To ensure uninterrupted access to instruction. Fall assessments are typically scheduled to begin after the first day of instruction at CSB. Applicants are encouraged to attend school in their districts until their Assessment of Suitability for Placement at CSB begins; (2) To provide a "safety net" program for the student to return to in the event that the assessment team does not offer enrollment at CSB, or CSB's offer of enrollment is declined by the referring team. For the duration of the assessment, CSB follows the applicant's current Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the district program.