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Model Secondary School for the Deaf is a vibrant, immersive, and prestigious residential high school tailor made for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Take our virtual tour or schedule your in-person visit today.
Transcript
Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD)!
We’re excited to share all that MSSD has to offer. We encourage you to explore our website and take a closer look at our vibrant campus through our MSSD Virtual Tour. You are also warmly invited to visit us in person at one of our Open House events—a great opportunity to meet teachers, staff, tour the campus, and learn more about our programs.
Applications are open for students in Grades 9 through 12.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Academic Bowl National Championships
states represented by MSSD Eagles
Apple Distinguished School Award Winner
of MSSD current students are BIPOC
A True Destination in
Deaf Education
At Model Secondary School for the Deaf, our community extends far beyond local borders. We welcome students from all 50 states and terroritores, bringing together diverse talents, cultures, and perspectives into one vibrant campus.
Apply
Step One
Applications are considered complete when all required documents and educational records have been received.
*Local education agency representatives may also apply for admission for deaf and hard of hearing students in their school districts with the support of the student’s family.
Visit
Come see us in person!
We invite you to attend one of our upcoming Open House events, where you can meet our faculty and staff, tour the campus, and learn more about our academic programs. If you are unable to join us in person, we encourage you to explore our virtual tour to discover what our campus offers to students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common inquiries about our application process, eligibility criteria, age requirements, and academic qualifications.
How do I apply for admission for my child?
Our application process is entirely online. To apply, please begin by completing the application form by click here.
- Step 1: Create an account.
- Step 2: Complete the Student Records Request Form and submit it to your child’s current school.
May students apply for admission at any time during the school year? Is there a deadline for applying?
MSSD accepts applications on a rolling basis until June 1 for fall semester enrollment consideration (August) and until November 1 for spring semester enrollment consideration (January). (Note: There may be times in which the application portal is temporarily closed.)
Applications received after either deadline will be considered for enrollment during the next eligible semester.
May students apply for admission to the senior class at any time during their senior year?
Review of a complete application file may result in one of the following:
- The application is accepted. Enrollment will depend on available space.
- The application is denied.
- The parent or legal guardian may be directed to their local educational agency (LEA) so that the LEA may make the referral in order to be available to partner with MSSD to provide the accommodations, supports, and services the student needs.
Applications received after either deadline will be considered for enrollment during the next eligible semester.
What are the possible outcomes of my child’s application?
MSSD considers all applications for admission. However, MSSD generally does not accept transferring seniors more than 10 school days into the new academic year. Each application is considered on an individual basis, and exceptions may be made in extenuating circumstances. All students enrolling as seniors must meet all requirements for graduation.
Applications received after either deadline will be considered for enrollment during the next eligible semester.
What is the difference between “acceptance” and “enrollment”?
Acceptance means that the student’s application has been reviewed and that the student meets the MSSD admissions criteria. It does not mean that the student may begin attending classes.
Enrollment means that the student has already been accepted; the enrollment date on which the student may begin attending MSSD is also provided.
If my child has been accepted but cannot be enrolled right away, when may they enroll?
MSSD enrolls new students at the beginning of each semester. Most new students enroll in late August for the fall semester and in late January for the spring semester.
For reasons such as classroom size and capacity and dormitory capacity, there may not be an available space for the student at the time of acceptance. Students are enrolled when there is an available space for them.
Who is eligible to attend MSSD?
Students eligible to attend MSSD have a hearing status that results in a need for an educational environment sensitive to diverse educational, cognitive, and social needs that necessitates a continuum of specialized educational and support resources, including nonrestrictive access to a visual environment throughout the day.
Are there any residency requirements?
MSSD applicants must legally reside with a parent or legal guardian in the United States or its territories.
Are there any educational or age requirements?
Applicants must have completed eighth grade or be on track to complete it before admission to MSSD. Applicants must not have graduated from a secondary program and must be under 21 years of age at the time of enrollment. Students may remain enrolled through the age of 21.
My child has secondary disabilities. Does this affect admission?
An applicant with secondary disabilities will be considered if the student’s primary educational needs are related to deafness.
What does MSSD need in order to consider a student for admission?
In order to consider a student for admission, MSSD needs the following documents:
- Completed electronic application form
- Completed electronic release of information form
- Birth certificate (copy)
- Proof of residency (copy of current utility bill)
In the application process, there is an electronic Student Records Request Form that authorizes your child’s school to send records to MSSD. Records requested include, but are not limited to:
- Audiogram/audiological evaluation
- Behavior/Discipline/Incident Reports within the last three years
- Current IEP or 504 plan
- Educational assessments (e.g., results from Stanford or other achievement tests, standardized tests, other statewide results)
- Multidisciplinary evaluation performed within the past three years (also called comprehensive or psychoeducational evaluations at some schools)
- Re-evaluation/Triennial Review
- Transcript/report card
*A completed physical exam, immunization record, and other medical record forms are due prior to enrollment
How will MSSD determine grade placement for incoming students?
Students who are applying for a class other than freshman must provide transcripts showing the number and type of high school credits earned. Classes in which the student has earned a grade of D or below will not be accepted for transfer credit.
Are immunizations and health insurance required?
D.C. Law 3-20 (revised November 1996) mandates that all students must have certification of immunizations.
All residential students must have health insurance. Parents and legal guardians have the option of purchasing school health insurance or using their family’s health insurance carrier. Students can use their family’s carrier if the insurance:
- Will not expire during the school year
- Will not expire due to age restrictions or student status
- Is valid in the District of Columbia
Medicaid from any place other than Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia is not accepted by healthcare providers in this area.. Therefore, either private insurance or school insurance must be purchased. School insurance may be purchased through MSSD’s group plan.
Find answers to common inquiries about our residence halls, student insurance options, and commuting to campus.
May my child attend MSSD through remote instruction only?
Learning at MSSD happens in physical, on-campus classes. MSSD students must be on campus in order to attend classes. MSSD does not provide an online-only education.
How many credits are needed to graduate?
MSSD offers diploma options with different requirements for each. Please see Graduation Requirements in the MSSD Parent-Student Handbook for more information.
What extracurricular or athletic activities does MSSD offer?
MSSD offers an array of activities both right after school and during the evening and weekend hours in the dormitory. Please see the Student Activities and Athletics pages for more information.
What does my child need to bring to the dormitory? I have other questions about the dormitory as well.
The MSSD Parent-Student Handbook contains comprehensive information about the dormitory. Please scroll down to the Student Life section to review information about all aspects of living in the MSSD dormitory.
Does MSSD offer transportation?
Transportation to and from campus is the responsibility of the student’s family. MSSD offers the following:
- Travel training for all new students to help them learn how to use local public transportation
- Regular shuttle bus service to and from the local train station, Union Station, regularly throughout the year, provided by Gallaudet University; please see the Gallaudet University shuttle bus page for more information (Union Station is 1.5 miles from the Gallaudet campus)
What are the costs involved in attending MSSD?
There is no tuition or room and board charge for MSSD students. Fees include:
Required:
- Laundry fee (e.g., local and residential students only, required annually)
- Damage or loss (e.g., dorm key/room, library books, furniture, school property, technology)
- Graduation fee (graduating seniors only)
Note: Transportation costs are also the responsibility of the student’s family.
Optional:
- Academic (e.g., Academic Bowl, clubs, Robotics)
- Activities (e.g., drama performances, school field trips, weekend activities)
- Events (e.g., homecoming, prom)
- Sports participation
- Yearbook
Are dormitory accommodations provided?
- Students wishing to be considered for dormitory residency must be able to live independently without individualized support for safety or living needs. Students requiring additional supervision may be admitted to the academic program and commute to school daily.
- Students living outside of the 5-mile radius of the school campus may live in the dormitory during the week.
- Students living outside of the 60-mile radius may stay in the dormitory during weekends when MSSD remains open.
- MSSD and its dormitory close periodically throughout the academic year, including, but not limited to: a three-day weekend in October, fall break, winter break, a three-day weekend in February, and spring break.
- Students who live in the dorm should expect to have a roommate.
How can I see the MSSD campus and the dormitory? How can I see the MSSD campus and the dormitory?
MSSD offers Open House events to families of prospective students who are interested in learning more about MSSD.
During Open House, families can experience a full day at MSSD learning about its programming, touring the school and campus, and meeting various teachers and staff. We invite you to come and discover what learning and personal development opportunities are available to all students at MSSD.
Click to register for an Open House event.
Can’t visit in person? Take a virtual tour to explore our campus online: MSSD Virtual Tour.
Find answers to common inquiries about our language of instruction, communication preferences, and how we work with families to support each student’s development.
How do teachers and students communicate during classroom instructional activities?
All classes and programs are conducted in American Sign Language (ASL).
The MSSD website says that MSSD is a bilingual school. If ASL is the language of instruction, how do students develop their English language skills?
Students receive a substantial amount of instruction in English language arts. In English language arts, students participate in an extensive range of reading and writing activities, including guided reading and writing instruction. Teachers create language-rich classrooms and make English visually accessible throughout the school building. Reading and writing are emphasized across the curriculum in all subject areas. Additionally, individual students may receive Individualized Education Program-based speech-language services to support and strengthen their spoken language skills.
My child does not know ASL. May they still be considered for admission to MSSD?
Yes! Our students come from a wide range of communication backgrounds, with new signers receiving support until they are able to communicate independently in ASL.
I would like my child to communicate in spoken English in the classroom. Is that an option at MSSD?
All classes and programs are conducted in ASL. Your child may receive spoken English services through IEP-based speech-language therapy sessions with our speech-language pathologists. However, classroom discourse is primarily through ASL.
My child normally communicates through Cued Speech. Is that an option at MSSD?
All classes and programs are conducted in ASL. MSSD does not use Cued Speech as a tool.