The Alabama School for the Deaf is AIDB's original campus, founded in 1858 to educated Alabama students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Today ASD provides traditional and nontraditional programs and educational experiences for children ages 3-21 who are deaf or hard of hearing as residential or day students. ASD offers academic and occupational diplomas while giving students with hearing loss from across Alabama opportunities to participate in a variety of athletic and leadership development activities.
As a residential school, ASD provides educational opportunities on a 24 hour/7 day basis in a communication-rich environment as compared to a 7 hour/5 day traditional approach. Students participate in extracurricular activities such as state and national championship sports, tutoring sessions, field trips, drama, clubs and various recreational activities.
ASD is accredited by the Alabama State Board of Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Conference of Educational Administrators Serving the Deaf. There is no tuition, room or board for students whose families are Alabama residents. Students follow a curriculum based on the Alabama State Department of Education's course of study, just as their hearing peers do, and must pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam in order to receive an academic diploma. An occupational diploma is also offered.
ASD's Work Experience Program prepares students for competitive or supported employment upon graduation through a variety of career exploration and on and off campus work experiences during the year and in their respective hometowns in the summer.
Reading and language development is a high priority in the ASD curriculum that embraces the national Shared Reading Project, Accelerated Reader and the STAR Schools Technology Project.
We hope you'll take the time to learn more about ASD.