Maryland School for the Deaf

Maryland School for the Deaf
Location
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Information
Type	Public
Established	1868
Superintendent	James E. Tucker
Faculty	100
Grades	K-12
Number of students	420
School Color(s)	Orange and Black
Mascot	Orioles
Website	http://www.msd.edu

The Maryland School for the Deaf is a school that provides free public education to Deaf and hard-of-hearing Maryland residents, from birth to age 18.

History

The School was established at Frederick, Maryland in 1868 (Chapter 247, Acts of 1867; Chapter 409, Acts of 1868). The original buildings for the school were made of stone and were used during the Revolutionary War to detain Hessian mercenaries who were hired by the British. The buildings were used by Lewis and Clark to store supplies before their famous expedition began.^[1]

Philosophy

At the Frederick campus, the School offers both academic and life-based education leading to a Maryland high school diploma or a Maryland School for the Deaf diploma. In English and American Sign Language (ASL), the School teaches communications skills, including speech and speech reading, finger spelling, and auditory training; and the use of individual hearing aids. It also offers a broad athletic and physical education program, as well as social and recreational activities.

Maryland School for the Deaf's High School offers several Advanced Placement classes as well as Honors courses which are taught in American Sign Language. Students take a variety of classes including American Government, History, Spanish, English, Biology, Algebra, Chemistry, etc as well as a variety of elective courses. in 2007, MSD students passed the state exams (High School Assessments or HSAs) at a higher rate than their hearing counterparts. Students work on many academic skills at MSD such as English and ASL grammar, reading strategies using as well as high level math and science. MSD is a competitor in the Academic Bowl and were the 2008 and 2010 Regional Champions. They also compete in various math and science competitions and generally place in the top five.

Frederick

Established in 1868, the Frederick Campus of the Maryland School for the Deaf enrolls deaf and hard-of-hearing students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 (Chapter 247, Acts of 1867; Chapter 409, Acts of 1868). For young children (from birth to age five) and their families, the Campus also provides language skill development.

At the Frederick campus, about thirty percent of enrolled students live on campus weeknights during the school year (late August through early June). Residential halls are staffed by student life counselors who supervise students and coordinate after school programming, such as intramural games, field trips, swimming, and hiking. Checkers, a 1950s style diner located on the Frederick campus, is student staffed and gives middle and high school students a place to meet friends, and watch movies.

The Maryland State High School Diploma or the Maryland School for the Deaf Diploma is awarded to each graduating senior, and many graduates pursue higher education degrees. Vocational or technical training, and vocational rehabilitation services are available to help other graduates secure employment.

Ely Building (1969-): Middle School and High School 6-12 Veditz Building (1974-): Study Work and LBE High School New Elementary Building (2009-): K-5 New Cafe (2011-)

References

1. ^ Gannon, Jack. 1981. Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America, Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, page 38 (illustration) and page 39 (PDF)(PDF)