Tucson School for the Blind Opened Downtown

Founder Kate Scally Howell established a new K-12 campus at 149 Stone Ave in May 2026.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Special Education

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a smooth tactile learning object on a desk, representing specialized education. — Educator Kate Scally Howell opened a new private K-12 school for blind and visually impaired students in downtown Tucson this May. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following the relocation of the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind to Oro Valley, educator Kate Scally Howell founded a new private school for blind and visually impaired students in downtown Tucson in May 2026. The new institution operates within a 4,200-square-foot facility to support displaced learners.

Why it matters

The school was established after the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind decided not to move its blind and visually impaired students during its transition to Copper Creek Elementary. This new private option ensures specialized instruction continues for students who were affected by the state institution's geographic shift.

The Tucson School for the Blind occupies a 4,200-square-foot space and serves students in grades K-12. Families may utilize Empowerment Scholarship Account funding to cover tuition costs for their children.

The players

Kate Scally Howell

She is the founder of the Tucson School for the Blind and a former employee of the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind with 15 years of experience.

Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind

This is a state-operated educational institution that recently relocated its primary operations to Oro Valley.

The details

Founder Kate Scally Howell established a nonprofit entity to secure a city-owned space at a nonprofit rental rate. The school currently serves 14 students with a staff of four teachers certified for the visually impaired.

January 2026: ASDB announced its relocation to Oro Valley.
February 2026: Kate Scally Howell was placed on a reduction-in-force list.
March 2026: The search for a new school space began.
May 2026: The lease for 149 Stone Ave was signed.
Early June 2026: The founder expected to receive the building keys.

Culture Shift

The school reflects a broader move toward private, parent-led educational alternatives enabled by the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account program. This shift marks a departure from traditional reliance on large, state-run institutions for specialized student populations.

Families can utilize Empowerment Scholarship Account funding to manage the cost of tuition for K-12 students. The downtown location provides a centrally accessible alternative for parents whose children were impacted by the relocation of state-run services.

The takeaway

The founding of this school demonstrates how educators can create targeted solutions when state-provided services shift geographically. Families should investigate state scholarship eligibility to determine how these funds apply to private tuition options.