Welcome to Iowa
School for the Deaf
This is How We Thrive.
At Iowa School for the Deaf, children thrive through communication, opportunity, independence and a sense of belonging. Individualized attention through specialized staff ensures academic and social success, regardless of hearing level or communication preference. Visit our School and decide if we might be right for your child or student!
How we succeed.
Every day.
Through passionate, specialized staff, small successes within students occur every day, becoming large accomplishments every year. We invite you to explore our website and learn how our students thrive in a language-based academic and social environment.
Iowa School for the Deaf is not just a ‘special’ school. It is an extraordinary language and learning environment for children who sign, talk or use both communication methods. We welcome children who have cochlear implants, hearing aids or who use no assistive hearing devices. We value our students’ strengths and design individual learning goals centered around each student’s unique needs.
Upcoming ISD Events
Boys Basketball: 7:15 pm vs Heartland Christian
Keep Up With the Latest From ISD
Referral & Enrollment
Do you know a student who would benefit from ISD’s learning environment? In addition to K-12 programming, we have a preschool and the state’s only transition-to-work/college program exclusively for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Opportunities for Students Across Iowa
We provide resources and opportunities for Iowa students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Whether or not your child is enrolled at ISD, take advantage of our resources for families, language and literacy, assessments and extended learning opportunities.
Living and Learning at ISD
At Iowa School for the Deaf, children thrive through communication, opportunity, independence and a sense of belonging. Individualized attention through specialized staff ensures academic and social success, regardless of hearing level or communication preference. Tour ISD and decide if we might be right for your child or student!
Learning & Curriculum
Dorm Living
Student Services
Activities & Clubs
Sports
Students Flourish in our Environment.
100%
100% Free tuition, room, board & transportation
Students from Iowa, Nebraska & South Dakota
150+ Years
of serving Iowans as a trusted resource in deaf education
92%
92% of students participate in at least one extracurricular activity
1:7 Our average teacher-to-student classroom ratio
We enroll students on IFSP, IEP & 504 plans
90%
90% of parents say their child has 1 or more adult advocate at ISD*
90%
90% of parents say ISD teachers work as a team to help their child learn*
*Cognia accreditation survey, 2021