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Texas School for the Deaf
Established in 1856
With 500+ students, Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) is one option for families seeking a no-cost, high-quality education. TSD is available to all eligible Texas students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with additional disabilities. Residential and Day-only programs are available to meet each child’s individual needs.
Generations of deaf and hard of hearing children have achieved personal excellence among TSD’s community of diverse learners. TSD’s highly qualified staff brings their experience and expertise to every classroom - from toddlers to high school, including transitional post-secondary services.
- Offering early language development and support for infants and their families with in-home visits and a Toddler Learning Center
- Direct communication access in an American Sign Language (ASL) and English environment
- Small student to teacher ratios in all classrooms
- Specialized, individual services and educational approaches for students based on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
- State of the art technology for 21st-century students
- Robust career and technology work-study opportunities for secondary students
- Transition planning for college, career, or independent living
At TSD, each student’s academic growth is fully supported through innovative related and support services. Whether a student needs accelerated instruction and honors courses, or positive behavioral support and specialized instruction in a highly structured environment, TSD is a place to grow.
- Diagnostics and assessments
- Speech and hearing services
- Sign language support
- Talented and gifted services
- Physical and Occupational therapies
- 24-Hour health and wellness services
- Counseling and behavior support
- Social skills and character development
Students learn more from human interactions and active learning than anything else. TSD’s all-encompassing campus life fosters each student’s self-esteem, confidence, and identity, and offers a sense of belonging with opportunities to develop lasting friendships, play on a team, or audition for a role on stage.
- Extra- and co-curricular activities for all grade levels
- Competitive league athletics, Intramural sports, and Special Olympics
- Fine and performing arts including digital graphics and animation, videography and drama
- Leadership opportunities in student government and service-learning
- Day-only educational and after-school programs for local-area students
- Dorms with 14:1 staff to student ratios and weekends at home for those who live outside the Austin area
Through outreach, the Statewide Outreach Center (SOC) extends TSD’s resources, expertise and technical assistance to students, families, and professionals across Texas. SOC collaborates with the larger network of statewide educators and agencies working together to optimize outcomes for all deaf and hard of hearing students.
- Diverse parent involvement, support, and educational programs
- Interactive, web-based sign language and literacy support
- Online educational and professional resources
- Summer school for students of all ages
- High school leadership retreats focusing on career exploration and social interaction
- CSW sign language immersion workshops for parents, interpreters, and teachers.
Texas School for the Deaf – Statewide Outreach Center
1102 South Congress Avenue - Austin, Texas 78704-1728 - (512) 462-5353 -1-800-DEAF-TSD
Each school district shall provide information about the Texas School for the Deaf. The Texas School for the Deaf provides comprehensive day, residential, or short-term education services to students from birth through age 21 who are deaf or hard of hearing and who may have one or more other disabilities. The school is not intended to serve: Students whose needs are appropriately addressed in a home or hospital setting or a residential treatment facility. Students whose primary, ongoing needs are related to severe or profound emotional, behavioral, or cognitive deficits.
Students are referred for admission to the Texas School for the Deaf by The school district in which the student resides under the student’s IEP; the student’s parent or legal guardian; or the student if age 18 or older.