About OEC

Overbrook Educational Center, fondly known as OEC, is a public kindergarten through 8th grade school in West Philadelphia that serves a unique population of learners. Our school buildings were originally home to the St. Callistus School and the St. Callistus Rectory, which were built in 1923 and 1928, respectively.

OEC was originally founded in the 1970s as a partnership with the Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB). We have accepted sighted students since the early 1990s.  OEC is the only school in the School District of Philadelphia with a full-time program supporting Visually Impaired/Blind (VIB) students.  About a third of students receive specialized services, half of whom are VIB.  OEC is dedicated to creating a cutting-edge vision program that provides comprehensive support for visually impaired individuals. The goal is for students to be able to excel both academically and socially in all settings. By offering resources and tools tailored to their needs, OEC wants to be at the forefront in empowering sighted and visually impaired students to reach their full potential and integrate confidently into their high schools of choice and their communities.

OEC is a city-wide school that offers a lottery-based admission process for students across Philadelphia.  In 2019, OEC was designated a Community School by City and District officials, which has enabled it to form stronger partnerships that enhance student, family, and neighborhood engagement.  Currently, OEC focuses on developing students’ practical skills through the integration of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.