ISD History

About Our Founders

Edmund Booth and William E. Ijams are the founders of Iowa School for the Deaf. Booth, an Iowa resident, became deaf at the age of 8 and received his formal schooling at the Hartford School for the Deaf in Connecticut. After moving back to Iowa, he held several political positions and lobbied the Iowa legislature to start a school for the deaf.

1854
Ijams opened a private school for the deaf in Iowa City. He also lobbied the state to begin a school for the deaf and presented his pupils at an Iowa Hall of Representatives assembly in 1854. On Jan. 24, 1855, Senate File No. 51 passed and the Iowa Institute for the Deaf and Dumb was born.
1855
The school was opened in “Goose Town,” a Bohemian section of Iowa City. The first 21 pupils ranged in age from 11 to 27 and were from the eastern part of the state. As word spread about the first school for the deaf, enrollment grew and the school soon needed larger quarters.
1870
In 1870, the school moved to Council Bluffs. The location was selected because it was readily accessible by railroads and the 80-acre tract of land was purchased for a bargain price of $1,200. The school was a self-sustaining entity with its own farm, power plant and hospital. Students learned traditional subjects but also were provided a variety of trades classes, including baking, shoe repair, furniture making and domestic work.
1932
Full high school diplomas, recognized by the state of Iowa, were first awarded to pupils in 1932. Previously, students simply progressed through the coursework and left school upon completing the classes.
1953
The Board of Control first governed the school. By 1953, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, held governance.
1974
Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children) passed in 1974, and eventually radically changed the enrollment of ISD, as it did with all schools for the deaf in the United States. The law mandated local school districts provide special education services to those residing in the districts.
1984
ISD’s largest graduating class was in 1984, with 63 pupils. This was due to an outbreak of rubella in mothers some 18 years earlier which caused deafness in many babies throughout the country. Enrollment grew to keep up with the need for special education for these children, and ISD had nearly 400 pupils on campus.
1998
Nebraska School for the Deaf, which was located in Omaha, closed in 1998. An agreement between Nebraska and Iowa enables Nebraska’s children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to attend ISD.
2002
The first new building on campus in more than 50 years opened. The Lied Multipurpose Complex features gym seating for 900, the area’s first zero-depth entry pool and spacious community rooms.
2010
A state-of-the-art science center was opened with two classrooms, two laboratories, a darkroom and a chemical storage area. The area, which once housed the campus swimming pool and locker rooms, was transformed into an accessible, updated learning space.
2012
The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, appointed the first joint superintendent for Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Braille and Sight Saving Institute.
2016
The first blind/visually impaired student enrolled into 4PLUS, the transition program.
2017
Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired established a fully staffed transition program for blind and visually impaired students on the ISD campus.
2023
The governance of Iowa School for the Deaf changed from the Iowa Board of Regents to the Department of Education.

ISD Museum

ISD has dedicated an entire wing to preserving historical items, many donated by alumni. Rooms, divided into decades of ISD, tell the stories of residential life, ISD’s farming years, and the various philosophies of oralism versus signing. Make an appointment to tour the museum here.

After you have confirmation of an appointment, here is how to find the museum. As you enter campus (north entrance from Wabash Trace), stay to the left. The first building on your right is the Administration Building. Turn into Scott Circle, a semi circle parking area directly in front of the Administration Building. Or, park across the street in the Lied Multipurpose Complex lot and walk to the Administration Building. Once you climb the stairs to the top entrance, press the button to have the door opened. There will be someone to guide you to the museum.

Museum Directions

The museum is in the Administration Building on the ISD campus. As you enter campus, stay to the left. Turn right into the semi-circle (the street name is Scott Circle) just after this sign, and park in any open space. Once you climb the stairs to the top entrance, the reception area will be just inside. There will be someone there to guide you to the museum. If you need ramp access, please indicate this when you make your appointment and alternate parking instructions will be provided.