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MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, Main Building, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Campus, Columbia, Maryland] The Maryland School for the Deaf provides free public education to deaf and hard-of-hearing Maryland residents from birth to age 21. The School was established at Frederick in 1868 (Chapter 247, Acts of 1867; Chapter 409, Acts of 1868). A second campus of the Maryland School for the Deaf was authorized in 1968 and opened at Columbia in September 1973 (Chapter 462, Acts of 1968).

Main Building, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Campus, Columbia, Maryland, November 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

At the Frederick and Columbia campuses, 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.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees of the Maryland School for the Deaf governs the School. With Senate advice and consent, the Governor appoints the Board's nineteen members to six-year terms. Each geographic region of the State is represented by at least one member of the Board, and at least six of the members are deaf (Code Education Article, sec. 8-304).

COLUMBIA CAMPUS

[photo, Baker Building, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Campus, Columbia, Maryland] P. O. Box 894
8169 Old Montgomery Road & Route 108, Columbia, MD 21044 - 0894

Opened in September 1973, the Columbia Campus of the Maryland School for the Deaf enrolls deaf students ages four through sixteen in programs from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade (Chapter 462, Acts of 1968). In addition, an early intervention program works with infants and young children and their families in language development and communications skills. Most students at the Columbia Campus commute daily but some participate in a weeknight residential program.

For elementary and middle school students who are medically frail or have additional disabilities, support services are available. These include behavior modification counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and psychiatric services.

Baker Building, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Campus, Columbia, Maryland, November 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

FREDERICK CAMPUS

[photo, Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick Campus, Clarke Place, Frederick, Maryland] P. O. Box 250, 101 Clarke Place, Frederick, MD 21705 - 0250

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.

Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick Campus, Clarke Place, Frederick, Maryland, January 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

At the Frederick campus, about thirty percent of enrolled students live on campus weeknights during the school year (late August through mid-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.

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