Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Deaf Education Excellence
Pennsylvania School For The Deaf has been a leader in Deaf education since 1820, offering a comprehensive Pre-K to 12th-grade curriculum tailored to the unique needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Our bilingual approach emphasizes fluency in American Sign Language and English, supported by individualized education plans aligned with Pennsylvania Common Core Standards. With a rich history of innovation, we provide immersive language development, extracurricular programs, and leadership opportunities to foster academic and personal growth. Our dedicated team includes certified educators, therapists, and specialists who collaborate to ensure students achieve their full potential.We maintain strong partnerships with families and communities to create a nurturing, culturally aware environment. Accredited by recognized educational bodies, our campus in Philadelphia combines historic significance with modern facilities to support a dynamic, language-rich learning community. Through athletics, arts, and student organizations, we cultivate confidence, self-advocacy, and global awareness among students.
Services
Audiological Services
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Vision Services
Orientation and Mobility
School Nursing
Interpreting Services
Student Programs
Transportation Services
Highlights and features
- We offer a bilingual curriculum emphasizing American Sign Language and English fluency since 1820.
- Our individualized education plans align with Pennsylvania Common Core Standards for personalized learning.
- We provide specialized therapies including audiological, speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
- Our campus combines historic significance with modern facilities for a dynamic learning environment.
- We foster leadership through extracurricular programs and partnerships with Deaf community organizations.
What people say
Exceptional individualized support
Strong Deaf community focus
Comprehensive therapy services
Caring educators
Leadership opportunities
Services
Audiological Services
Our audiologists conduct annual hearing assessments, maintain hearing aids, and optimize classroom acoustics. We support cochlear implant users and ensure optimal auditory environments for learning. Services align with individual education plans to maximize students' auditory potential.
Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists evaluate and enhance communication skills in ASL and English. Therapy focuses on pragmatics, linguistic concepts, and augmentative communication devices. Sessions support both expressive and receptive language development for academic success.
Occupational Therapy
Therapists address fine motor skills, sensory processing, and classroom accessibility. Services improve coordination, attention span, and material management to help students achieve educational goals through individualized interventions.
Vision Services
Collaborating with Overbrook School for the Blind, we provide braille instruction and adaptive technology training. Services include specialized materials and mobility strategies to support DeafBlind students' academic participation and independence.
Student Programs
We offer after-school programs, extended school year options, and social initiatives like Friday Night Live. These programs maintain progress during breaks and develop communication skills in bilingual environments through structured recreational activities.
People
Melissa S. Draganac-Hawk
Head of School
With 20 years in Deaf education leadership, Melissa brings expertise as former Director of Student Affairs and Early Childhood Education. A Gallaudet graduate, she advocates for bilingual approaches and serves as a University of Pennsylvania adjunct professor.
Mark D. Apodaca
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Leading the Board of Trustees, Mark provides strategic oversight while collaborating with educational experts to maintain PSD's legacy of excellence in Deaf education since 1820.
Karla Boudreaux
Director of Human Resources
Karla manages HR operations with a focus on recruiting qualified professionals committed to Deaf education, ensuring staff development and compliance with employment standards.
Harriet Nabatesa
Director of Finance
Harriet oversees financial operations, budget planning, and resource allocation to support PSD's educational mission while maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Elizabeth Knapp
Director of Academic Affairs
Elizabeth leads curriculum development and academic programming, ensuring alignment with state standards while promoting innovative teaching methods for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Questions
What educational programs does PSD offer?
We provide Pre-K to 12th-grade programs with individualized education plans, bilingual ASL/English instruction, and specialized therapies tailored to Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
How does PSD support communication development?
Our bilingual curriculum emphasizes American Sign Language and English fluency through immersive instruction, speech therapy, and assistive technology integration.
What extracurricular activities are available?
We offer athletics, student clubs (Junior NAD, Panther Pride), performing arts, yearbook production, and social programs like Friday Night Live for holistic development.
How does PSD involve families?
We maintain regular family communication, offer ASL classes, and involve parents in educational planning through collaborative meetings and community events.
What support services are available?
We provide audiological, speech, occupational, physical, and vision therapies, along with interpreting services and specialized nursing care to support student success.
Is PSD accredited?
Yes, we maintain accreditation through recognized educational authorities and collaborate with institutions like Overbrook School for the Blind for specialized services.
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