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ISD Referral & Enrollment Procedures

About Referrals & Enrollment

Upon the request of a local school district or Early Access provider, ISD will assist in determining the educational needs of preschool and school-age children identified or suspected of being deaf or hard of hearing and determining whether enrollment at ISD is the most appropriate way to meet those needs.

Any referral for evaluation or placement will be an IEP team decision preceded by the student’s file review by the ISD referral team.

Testimonials

The ISD team was helpful in talking through the IEP, transportation, and even different activities offered at the school. They clearly communicated how the referral and other processes happen, as well as the timeframe. Enrolling our student was a smooth transition for us.

Trevor Miller
Superintendent, Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District

The Referral & Enrollment Process

Referral

Council Bluffs area children between the ages of two and three years old may be referred by their Early Access provider to the ISD preschool.

Students aged three and above will be referred by the public school they attend or the district in which they reside.

Phone calls regarding referrals are welcome. However, all referrals must be received in writing from the IFSP or IEP team.

The referral should include the student’s current IFSP or IEP, documentation of a hearing level that adversely affects the student’s educational performance, reports on any significant medical issues, educational assessment results, communication/language assessments, home language survey, functional behavior assessment if applicable, high school transcript and schedule if applicable, attendance reports, discipline reports, most recent report card, achievements scores, and immunization record.

File Review by the ISD Team

The referral team will review the student’s file to determine:

  • If the student has a qualifying disability of deafness or hearing loss, and to identify other needs that have not yet been assessed by the referring district.
  • If the student is a danger to self or others and/or presents systemic behavior which is disruptive to the educational process of the other students.
  • If the student presents medical or safety issues which are beyond the scope of care provided by the education or health services staff.
  • If the student’s academic, developmental, medical, social/emotional, and behavioral needs can be met by the available services and programs at ISD.
  • After a file review, the ISD referral team may ask to observe the student in his/her local district education setting.

If ISD’s programs and services cannot meet the needs of the student, the reasons will be discussed with the school district.

If ISD’s programs and services can meet the student’s needs, the referral team will review the student’s current IEP to ensure the goals can be accommodated by ISD during the evaluation period. If not, some modifications may be made and noted if an evaluation is recommended.

Evaluation at ISD

ISD staff will conduct an evaluation for a period of up to 30 school days. The evaluation may include a classroom-based assessment, developmental/cognitive assessment, academic assessment, audiological assessment, speech/language and communication assessments, and observations by school and dorm staff, as appropriate.

Parents will be asked to complete the ISD registration packet. If parents have not already done so, they will be asked to visit ISD with the school district and/or AEA staff prior to the evaluation.

The IEP written by the referring district will remain in force with any noted modifications made by ISD, and the responsibility for FAPE will remain with the referring district during the evaluation period.

Recommendations for Services and Placement

Enrollment at ISD is contingent on:

  • the outcome of the evaluation
  • whether or not ISD can provide the most appropriate educational services for the student
  • if placement at ISD is the most appropriate setting for the implementation of those educational services

Placement decisions will be made by the IEP team.

Iowa School for the Deaf Dormitory Services Criteria

Eligibility for ISD’s instructional services does not mean the child is automatically eligible for residential services. To qualify for residential services, the child has to meet specific criteria:

  • Child lives more than a one-hour commute (one-way) to ISD (certain exceptions may be considered).
  • Child is five years or older by September 1.
  • Child must not be a danger to self or others and does not engage in illegal activities.
  • Child does not have a medical condition that is beyond the capacity of care for the ISD Health Center.
  • Child must have basic self-help skills and does not require one-on-one assistance or one-on-one supervision and is able to follow the residential program’s age-appropriate schedule.

Out-of-State Enrollment Information

Can out-of-state students attend Iowa School for the Deaf? There are agreements in place between Iowa and some neighboring states, should the IEP team decide Iowa School for the Deaf is an option to further explore. Email trisha.waddell@iaedb.org (middle school and high school grades) or justin.cyboron@iaedb.org (elementary and 4PLUS transition) for details.

Help Your Child Thrive at ISD

Have questions or are ready to start the referral and enrollment process?

Contact ISD

Ask us a question or schedule a tour today!

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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!

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.

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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.

Click here for the description in ASL.