Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments was begun in Philadelphia in 1955 to meet the religious and educational needs of visually impaired/blind children. At that time, parents had sought to find a Catholic school where their children would receive instruction in the faith, as well as the special education they needed. Finding none, the parents approached Cardinal O'Hara, who was then Archbishop of Philadelphia, and requested that a school be started. Cardinal O'Hara commissioned Bishop McShea, pastor of Saint Francis de Sales Parish, to direct the project. With the cooperation of the Archdiocese, the people of the parish, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and God's blessings, the school was opened, took root and is still flourishing.

The program was intended to serve the entire five county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Presently, most children come from Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware County.

In March 1991, the decision was made to relocate the program to Saint Alice Parish in Upper Darby. In September 2006, SLDS was welcomed into the Parish Community of Holy Innocents in Philadelphia after the decision was made to close St. Alice School.