• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Iowa School for the Deaf logo - this image will return you to the homepage
  • Visit Campus
  • Calendar
  • Current Job Openings
  • Enrollment
  • Referral & Enrollment
    • Referral & Enrollment Procedures
    • FAQ for School Administrators
  • The Student Experience
    • Learning Environment & Curriculum
    • Student Services
    • Dorm Living
    • Activities & Clubs
    • Athletics
    • Weekly Menu
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Current Students & Families
  • Outreach
    • About Outreach
    • Family Resources
    • Language Resources
    • Assessment
    • Expanded Learning
    • American Sign Language Classes
    • Literacy Resources
  • About Us
    • About ISD
    • ISD History
    • News
    • Superintendent Entry Plan
  • Connect With ISD
    • Contact ISD
    • ISD Staff Directory
    • Donate to ISD
  • Visit Campus
  • Calendar
  • Current Job Openings
  • Enrollment
  • ASL Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Out More About ISD

Here are answers to questions often asked about Iowa School for the Deaf.

What are the hearing levels of students at ISD?

Our students have a variety of hearing levels. In this language-rich environment, students use sign language, spoken language or both. Some students use cochlear implants or hearing aids; others do not use assistive technology. Students on 504 plans, IFSPs and IEPs may be eligible; all placement decisions are made by the student’s IEP team.

Does it cost anything to attend ISD?

ISD is part of the Free Public Educational (FAPE) system in Iowa. ISD receives a legislative appropriation for its core educational program and residential services. There is no cost to attend ISD. However; just like in public schools when a student needs individualized supports/services for FAPE, there may be costs incurred for the school district.

Read About Funded Services

If there is an interpreter at the public school, why should students attend Iowa School for the Deaf?

Direct instruction is best. Interpreters are state-licensed professionals who are experts in interpreting, not teaching. They relay information to students. If an interpreter is not familiar with a subject, the vocabulary and key points of the lesson won’t be clear to the interpreter, and concise signing won’t be provided to the student. Iowa School for the Deaf’s licensed teachers of the deaf provide direct instruction. There are also rich opportunities to develop healthy social-emotional skills, identity and a sense of belonging.

Why not just give notes and have captioning for deaf students and keep them in public schools?

Most students with a different hearing level are born into hearing families. When children can’t hear language to imitate and learn it, they have large vocabulary gaps and struggle in school. The written word may have no meaning for a student who is deaf if they are delayed in language.

Is ISD easier than public school?

ISD maintains rigorous academic standards. Our direct instruction enables students to focus on content and participate in class discussions. Communication barriers they faced in public school are eliminated. In this manner, they may consider ISD to be “easier” than their public schools.

Do hearing impaired students attend ISD?

We respect individual and family preferences regarding classifying a child’s hearing level. Although an audiology report may show three different students have the same degree of hearing level, one child may consider themself deaf; another may want to be referred to as hard of hearing; and the third may classify themself as hearing impaired. At ISD, most students consider themselves deaf or hard of hearing. “Hearing impaired” implies an imperfection exists. Some students may also identify as Deaf. Using uppercase D describes people who identify as culturally Deaf and are engaged with the Deaf Community, sharing common culture as well as language- usually American Sign Language.

What diplomas are awarded?

ISD students meet the same Iowa Board of Education criteria to graduate (same as public school students) and are issued standard Iowa high school diplomas.

What do ISD students do after graduation?

Some pursue work or college on their own. Others find our transitional program, 4PLUS, provides welcomed support to be successful with employment and/or at college.

How many students are on campus?

With just over 100 students, ISD staff members focus on the individual needs of each child.

What is the school calendar?

The school year begins in mid-August and concludes in late May, just as other public schools do in Iowa.

Ask us a question or schedule a tour today!

Visit Our Campus
Contact Us

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
  • Home
  • About ISD
  • About Outreach
  • Activities & Clubs
  • Calendar
  • Contact ISD
  • Staff Resources

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

3501 Harry Langdon Blvd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Iowa Web Design by Webspec

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!

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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!

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

Groundskeeping Barn

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

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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).

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close

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.

Click here for the description in ASL.

Close