• 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
  • Connect With ISD
    • Contact ISD
    • ISD Staff Directory
    • Donate to ISD
  • Visit Campus
  • Calendar
  • Current Job Openings
  • Enrollment
  • ASL Classes

ISD’s Learning Environment & Curriculum

Learning Environment

Breaking Communication Barriers

Direct communication is what sets Iowa School for the Deaf apart from public schools. Here, teachers provide instant information and feedback without needing to use an interpreter. Our students are amazed when food service staff, housekeepers and bus drivers sign with them. When communication barriers are eliminated, our students aren’t “different” from their peers. They experience true inclusion and enjoy peer interactions that build a sense of belonging and identity.

Highlights of Our Learning Environment

Direct instruction provides clear learning

A variety of languages and communication modes enable all students to participate in discussions.

Faculty are specialized teachers of the deaf

Same core curriculum offered as hearing peers

Curriculum meets Iowa Board of Education graduation requirements

Strong visual teaching approach

Low teacher-to-student ratio

As a public school, students/families are not charged to attend.

Mainstreaming offerings at local public schools

We offer Iowa’s only transition-to-work/college program exclusively for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Advantages to Enrolling at ISD

Inclusion

For many of our students, firsts happen at Iowa School for the Deaf. First best friends. First birthday party invitations. First time playing in a sport. First time feeling truly included, both inside and outside the classroom.

Confidence

Many of our students find it easier to participate in class discussion with our specialized teaching staff. Often, Iowa School for the Deaf parents notice their children are more confident about themselves and are now joining sports and activities without hesitation.

Activities, clubs & sports for all interests

Students gain real-life experience, leadership skills and make friends through a variety of activities and athletics at Iowa School for the Deaf. More than 90% of middle school and high school students choose to participate in at least one after school activity.

Post-high school preparation

Planning for life after high school starts with middle school career awareness at Iowa School for the Deaf. As students age, more career exploration is offered, such as:

  • Career interest surveys, worksite field trips, guest presenters and job shadows
  • On-campus jobs
  • Meeting with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor, officed part-time on campus (students start services at 14 years old)
  • Smooth post-high school transitions, may it be back home or wherever the future leads
  • 4PLUS, a free transition program for students with unmet transition needs, even those who have not previously attended ISD

Curriculum

Preschool

The earlier children experience a language-rich environment, the stronger their vocabulary and communication skills will be. This leads to ultimately narrowing the learning gap between them and their hearing peers. Families choose a preschool schedule that is right for them, from daily attendance to attendance a few days a week.

The early childhood education teacher uses curriculum which aligns with national preschool standards. Activities focus on language development, socialization, gross/fine motor skills and self-help skills, along with plenty of rest and play.

Elementary School

In addition to academic classes routinely found in public school programs, students in Iowa School for the Deaf’s elementary school are offered art, speech therapy, language, American Sign Language, library, physical education and guidance. Small class sizes allow teachers to address diverse needs of the students who rotate classrooms for all subjects. This increases independence and organization skills.

Curriculum is taught on grade level with modifications provided as needed. Activities open to elementary school students include student council, girls’ and boys’ clubs and sports teams which compete with other city youth teams.

Middle & High School

Students are challenged to use critical thinking, imagination and creativity in classes. Staff help foster skills and attitudes within each student leading to positive self-esteem and self-advocacy. Aside from classes typically offered in public high school programs, a transition focus prepares students for life outside of high school, both in the worlds of work and college. Some students mainstream at Lewis Central High School (located across the street) with an Iowa School for the Deaf interpreter. The semester system is used at Iowa School for the Deaf and each credit equals one semester of class. Iowa School for the Deaf students meet Iowa’s required criteria to graduate, as determined by the Iowa Department of Education.  Extracurricular activities range from sports to clubs and events.

Post-High School (4PLUS)

Iowa School for the Deaf provides programming for post-seniors with unmet transition needs. We offer extra support as deaf or hard of hearing students look for jobs or take classes at a local community college.

Learn About 4Plus Program

After School Programs

WEE

When offered, in the We Explore our Environment (WEE) program, ISD’s youngest students focus on social and language skills. These students do not live on campus, and do not even need to be enrolled at ISD to participate. Rather than go to a daycare or straight home after school, these students can experience an extended 90 minutes which complements their development in a fun atmosphere. 

STEAM

The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) program is geared toward middle school students. This program typically meets twice a week after school for 90 minutes. The focus is on educational activities in the content areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. There are thousands of potential careers and jobs in the STEAM fields, and ISD aims to provide these students with a taste of their potential futures. 

Sports

ISD elementary students (and area youth who are deaf but do not attend ISD) start building foundational skills in sports through this program. Practice for basketball and volleyball teams is held on ISD’s campus, with ISD coaches. Teams play against other youth teams in the local YMCA. The environment is fun and relaxed. Practices and games are based on season and availability.

Visit our Activities & Clubs page for a comprehensive list of sports, clubs and other activities. 

See What Makes ISD Extraordinary

Learn About Dorm Living
Visit the Campus

  • Parent PowerSchool Portal
  • Policies/ Transparency
  • ISD Staff Resources
  • Employment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.