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4PLUS Program

Post-High School Transition/4PLUS

Post Senior Learning for Ultimate Success (4PLUS) offers extra support as deaf/hard of hearing students from their home districts in Iowa pursue jobs in the community (independent employment) or take classes at local two-year colleges. Students do not need to have been enrolled at ISD during their high school years to be eligible.

All 4PLUS students will attend at least 10 hours weekly of life skills classes or tutoring at the 4PLUS student center. Students will also comply with all Iowa School for the Deaf campus rules and regulations as well as comply with all college campus rules and regulations (when applicable).

4PLUS Cost

There is no charge to families for 4PLUS students. Tutoring, life skills training, room, board and program-related transportation* are provided as a service of 4PLUS (no billing for these services).

School districts may be billed for:

  • one-on-one paraeducators
  • daily transportation from home to ISD* (for students who live off campus)
  • tuition for education training programs or community college classes
  • equipment, tools, supplies required for job training
  • required college textbooks and tools
  • job coaching
  • assistive technology

*See page F on the IEP page or call (712) 366-3227 for more information.

Eligibility Requirements

Employment Path

Students considered for 4PLUS must be capable of independent employment and willing and able to work weekends and/or holidays. Referral to the program is an IEP team decision, based on needs for independent living and/or employment skills. Students on this path must be willing and able to work in the metro area three out of four weekends per month, adhere to the work schedule, and must accept a variety of work experiences. Preferences cannot be guaranteed.

College Certification Path

Students in the certification training program should be capable of certificate training program course work and career work, are expected to attend all college classes and are required to work or volunteer part time.

  • IEP team decision based on interest and aptitude of student
  • IEP team decisions based on need for independent living and/or employment skills
  • Vocational Rehabilitation IPE and/or teacher recommendation

College Degree Path

Students must meet three of the four following criteria:

  • ACT composite score of 14
  • Lexile score of 900 or above (approximately 6th grade level grade equivalency)
  • High school cumulative GPA of 3.0 in non-modified courses
  • Teacher recommendation

Students on the college degree path are limited to three college classes per semester, and are expected to attend all college classes. Students are required to work or volunteer part time.

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Program Services

Students are provided instruction, support and practice in the following areas. Classes are determined by the IEP team, and vocabulary is emphasized in all courses.

  • Employability readiness skills
  • Budgeting & finance
  • Personal & professional relationships
  • Independent health & lifelong fitness
  • Driver’s education (if applicable)
  • Independent living skills
  • Civics & current events
  • Community awareness & exploration
  • Nutrition & meal planning & cooking
  • English, basic math (if needed)

Who should be considered for 4PLUS Transition?

Students who are entitled to special education services and have unmet vocational and life skill needs may be considered as appropriate candidates for the 4PLUS Transition Program. Other considerations will be looked at on an individual basis. The IEP team will determine if the 4PLUS is right for your child.

Do students reside on campus all year and on weekends?

No. Some 4PLUS Transition students are day students and return home every evening. Other students live on campus during the week and go home every weekend. The residential program is open during the academic school year. Students reside at home on weekends, during major holidays and when school is not in session. Students who are employed in the Council Bluffs/Omaha metropolitan area may be granted permission to stay in the dorms on the weekend if necessary to sustain employment.

What extracurricular opportunities are available for 4PLUS Transition students?

Students may work with dorm staff to determine opportunities in Council Bluffs and Omaha. Students meet weekly to prepare a meal and monthly to plan a community outing. 4PLUS Transition students are eligible for Special Olympics sports such as basketball, bowling and track. If enrolled at Iowa Western Community College, there are many organizations to join. 

Contact Us About 4PLUS

If your child or student meets eligibility requirements and would be a good fit for 4PLUS, contact Justin Cyboron, ISD 4PLUS Principal, at (712) 366-3227. 

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Switchboard: 712-366-0571 | VP (videophone): 712-796-0025

3501 Harry Langdon Blvd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503

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Bobcat Football Field

Since 1921, football has been a tradition at Iowa School for the Deaf. ISD Bobcats play late weekday afternoons or Saturdays against local junior varsity teams and Great Plains Schools for the Deaf varsity teams. Go ‘Cats!

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Lied Multipurpose Complex

Opened in 2002, this was the first new construction on campus in more than 50 years. Health and physical education classes take place here. In addition to the main gym, which has seating for 1,000, this 58,000-square-foot facility has a 115,000-gallon swimming pool, community rooms, racquetball courts, and fitness areas.

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Boys Dormitory

Male students board in the administration building’s west wing. Floors divide the boys by age. Residential counselors and houseparents help with homework, encourage calls home, and plan learning, social and service activities for the boys. Boys typically have rooms to themselves. Videophone and computer stations are in the floor lounge areas.

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Administration Building

This is the site of the first building on campus when the school was moved from Iowa City in 1870. At the time, the building was a dorm, dining room, staff living quarters, chapel and administration. (There was a separate school building on campus.) This building has experienced four fires and a tornado (but nothing devastating since 1903!). Currently, it houses the ISD Museum, auditorium, cafeteria, teen center, boys dorm, and the school’s central administration offices.

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Cafeteria/Kitchen

ISD cafeteria staff work closely with dietitians and federal programs to ensure their offerings meet stringent nutrition guidelines and the preferences of the pickiest eater! Every child is encouraged to try samplings from all food groups. Occasional food fairs are held to introduce students to new dishes as well as to reinforce the importance of a healthy diet.

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Auditorium

The ornate auditorium is often home to prom, the school carnival (Celebrate ISD), and other special presentations needing to seat a larger audience. When not in use, its convenient location next to the Teen Center makes it a popular nine-square attraction!

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Greenhouse

Need tips on germination or transplanting? Check with a student who has worked in the greenhouse! The structure was dedicated in 2001 in memory of Adam Leitch, a former middle school student, who loved the outdoors. The greenhouse was made possible by donations from Adam’s family.

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Staff Residence

Some school officials are required to live on ISD’s campus. Other campus houses and apartments may be occupied by ISD staff who rent the units.

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Fleet Garage

The fleet garage holds ISD’s vehicles. Every weekend (weather permitting), students are transported to their hometowns across Iowa and Nebraska. This event operates so efficiently that the average time between school day’s end and the last bus to leave campus is less than 15 minutes. Labor for the original part of this 1941 structure was furnished under the Work Progress Administration.

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Groundskeeping Barn

This is headquarters for the groundskeepers and was built in 1984. The staff are also responsible for maintaining ISD’s fleet vehicles.

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Dairy Barn

ISD was once a self-sufficient entity, complete with a dairy herd. This 1935 barn initially housed calves and became the cattle barn when the dairy barn burned in 1944. After its farming life, the building has been used as a teen center and now stores various grounds equipment.

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Careers Building/4PLUS

Students gain hands-on work experience in metals technology and woods classes at this building. The 4PLUS transition (to work or college) student center is located on the second floor. The central and south wings were built in 1950; the north wing addition was constructed in 1980.

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Plant/Power House

This building was completed in 1956 and contains the campus boilers and utility access points. Powerhouse staff are on campus round the clock whenever students are here, too. In addition to keeping utilities running, they respond to emergency alarms and provide extra security. They’ve also been known to attend to the simple, albeit critical, needs on campus (such as fixing a student’s bicycle).

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Elementary School

Opened in 1959, this building houses preschool and elementary grades, with lower grades on the bottom floor and upper grades on the second floor. A computer lab, library, and kitchen are also inside.

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Outreach

ISD’s Outreach Department is housed in the former infirmary. Programming focuses around five areas: family resources, extended learning, literacy resources, language resources and assessments. Long before this area was renovated for Outreach, it served as ISD’s own hospital. Tonsillectomies were even performed on campus! This building opened in 1938.

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Small Gymnasium

This facility is used as an extra physical education facility for younger students. It also serves as a multipurpose activity area and an extra practice gym. Most of our matches, tournaments, and physical education are now held at the Lied Multipurpose Complex.

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Science Center

A modern science center featuring two classrooms, two labs, and plenty of storage, opened in the fall of 2010. The space previously contained a swimming pool and locker rooms and was renovated to provide an accessible environment. Private donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses made the $1.5 million project possible.

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J. Schuyler Long Hall/High School

Opened in 1929, this building offers three stories of classrooms with most rooms being used on the second floor. A library, student meeting room, and computer lab are under this roof. The Long Hall Science Center, which opened in 2010, is also connected to the building.

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Health Center

Registered nurses working 24 hours a day have all the students’ healthcare needs covered! From bandages to flu shots, nurses provide tender loving care and keep parents informed about the health of their children. When students are ill, they are cared for in the health center until they are ready for classes again.

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Girls Dormitory

A large kitchen with double appliances is featured on the main floor. Student lounges are on each floor, containing computer and videophone relay access. Usually, students have rooms to themselves. The building opened in 1963; the north wing was added in 1975.

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Audiology

Nearly 60 school districts are served through the Green Hills Area Education Agency, one of nine such organizations in Iowa. Green Hills is an intermediate unit providing educational services to local schools. One of Green Hills’ soundproof hearing testing booths is on the campus of ISD.

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ISD Museum


Housed on the second floor of Administration Building’s east wing, each room reflects a decade of history at ISD. Free admission; open by appointment, 712.366.0571.

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Teen Center

After homework and sports activities but before bed, a flurry of interaction takes place among students at the Teen Center! This modern space has a pool table, comfy couches, a big screen TV, and its own snack bar.

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