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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.

A Timeline of the History

  1. 1854
  2. 1855
  3. 1870
  4. 1932
  5. 1953
  6. 1974
  7. 1984
  8. 1998
  9. 2002
  10. 2010
  11. 2012
  12. 2016
  13. 2017
  14. 2023
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  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 1953

    The Board of Control first governed the school. By 1953, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, held governance.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 2016

    The first blind/visually impaired student enrolled into 4PLUS, the transition program.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

ISD Alumni

Stay in touch with your classmates by joining the Iowa School for the Deaf Alumni Association (ISDAA)!

ISDAA Officers:

President: isdaapresident@gmail.com
Vice President: vicepresidentisdaa@gmail.com
Secretary: secretaryisdaa@gmail.com
Treasurer: isdaatreasurer@gmail.com

Help Your Child Thrive at ISD

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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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