Who We Are
About Maryland School for the Deaf
Since 1868, the Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) has proudly educated deaf and hard of hearing students from across the state, offering tuition-free public education from birth through age 21. As Maryland's only public school specializing in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students, MSD provides a bilingual learning environment where every student has access to language, learning, and community.
Accredited by the Middle States Association through its Sustaining Excellence protocol, MSD serves as a statewide resource for families seeking an education designed specifically for their deaf or hard of hearing child's needs.
MSD operates two campuses: Frederick, serving students from birth through 21, and Columbia, serving students from birth through grade 8. All high school students attend classes on Frederick campus. Across both locations, MSD offers a full range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and a residential program for students who live farther from school, ensuring every student can fully participate in school life.
With more than 450 students enrolled, MSD welcomes children who are deaf, have residual hearing, use hearing aids or cochlear implants, and come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Students enter with varying levels of signing fluency—some arrive already knowing American Sign Language (ASL) and others new to the language. All learn in our language-rich, bilingual environment where ASL and English are central to both classroom instruction and daily interaction.
Choosing MSD: A Parent-Choice School
Maryland is a parent-choice state, giving families the option to select MSD as their child's educational placement. This means parents may choose MSD as an alternative to their local school system, no matter where in the state they live. We offer rolling admissions, and prospective families may apply at any time during the school year.
Language-Rich Environment
ASL and English Bilingual Education
At MSD, students learn in a language-rich environment where American Sign Language (ASL) and English are at the heart of every interaction. From early language acquisition through graduation, we provide strong language models and a linguistically enriched setting that fosters fluency in both ASL and written English. Our mission is for every MSD graduate to be fluent in both languages.
Direct Access to Learning
One of the greatest benefits of attending MSD is direct, full access to learning every moment of the school day. ASL is the primary language of instruction, giving our deaf and hard of hearing students immediate access to lessons, discussions, and incidental learning without the need for an interpreter. This means students do not just learn from planned instruction; they also gain the spontaneous knowledge, social understanding, and real-world connections that come from picking up information naturally throughout the day. Students engage with teachers, staff, and peers all day—in the classroom, at lunch, during extracurricular activities, and even on the bus—ensuring that learning happens naturally, continuously, and in a fully language-rich environment.
Comprehensive Programs and Services
Academic Programs
MSD's curriculum follows the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards and the guidelines of the Maryland State Department of Education. Students participate in statewide assessments and meet the same graduation requirements as their peers in other public schools, earning either a Maryland State Diploma or a Certificate of Completion.
Our academic program spans all grade levels, including:
> Family Education and Early Childhood Education (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarteners)
> Elementary School (kindergarten through grade 5)
> Middle School (grades 5 through 8)
> High School (grades 9 through 12)
> Orioles Career Academy (ages 18-21): a secondary transition program offering certification, employment experience, and independent-living skills
In addition to core academic subjects, students can choose from a variety of elective courses, extracurricular activities, and specialized programs that support college and career readiness. Small class sizes and direct communication in ASL and English ensure that every student receives the instruction, access, and opportunities needed to prepare for postsecondary success.
Specialized Support Services
Families value MSD as a one-stop school where their children can receive both a quality education and the specialized support they need—all in one place. We act as your trusted partner, making sure academic and support services are seamlessly integrated. Every student has an Individual Family Service Plan or an Individualized Education Program to guide the services and supports they receive.
On our campuses, qualified and licensed staff provide a wide range of programs and services, including audiology and diagnostic audiology; behavioral support, counseling, and mental health; enhanced services for students with additional disabilities; extended school year programs; occupational and physical therapy; orientation and mobility; and speech-language services.