The Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch (PDSB) is a branch of the Student Support and Field Services Division of the Ministry of Education and is responsible for the direct operation of four (4) provincial schools and three (3) demonstration schools:
- Three American Sign Language (ASL)/English provincial schools for the Deaf (Belleville, London, Milton)
- One English-language provincial school for the blind, visually impaired and Deafblind (Brantford)
- Three English-language demonstration schools for students who have severe learning disabilities (Belleville, London, Milton)
The provincial and demonstration schools offer the Ontario curriculum at the elementary and secondary levels as well as specialised integrated programming. Qualified teachers employed by the Provincial Schools Authority or seconded from District School Boards deliver the educational programs.
Provincial and demonstration schools provide individualized education in the identified areas with appropriate resources, giving students with special learning needs the opportunity to fully participate in the total school experience including, sports, music, recreational and leadership opportunities.
The schools operate on a school year calendar and provide a residence program and student health services (Sunday evening to Friday afternoon).
Students in the schools for the Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, deafblind are often enrolled for their full elementary and secondary school education. In the demonstration schools, students are accepted for one year with a possibility for a second year in certain program areas.
Provincial Schools for the Deaf provide instruction for students from K-12. The schools offer the Ontario curriculum and parallels credit and non-credit courses provided in district school boards. The schools provide a bilingual-biliteracy school and residence program which facilitate students’ language acquisition, learning and social development through American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
Provincial School for the Blind provides specialized programs for students from K- 12 who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind. The school offers the Ontario curriculum and parallels credit and non-credit courses provided in district school boards. Programming includes all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum such as direct orientation and mobility supports and braille instruction in an inclusive, accessible environment.
Demonstration Schools provide a one year program for students diagnosed with a severe learning disability. Students are accepted for one year with a possibility for a second year in certain program areas.
PDSB’s Resource Services department provides:
- preschool services for children who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired and/or deafblind and their families; and
- teacher training and consultation services to English and French language district school boards for Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, deafblind and students with severe learning disabilities.