2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Vision
The Maryland School for the Deaf will empower every student to reach their full potential and lead enriched, meaningful lives.
Mission
The Maryland School for the Deaf provides an inclusive, language-rich environment for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through age 21. Rooted in a bilingual education approach, we ensure full access to American Sign Language and English across comprehensive academic, extracurricular, and student life programs. In partnership with families and communities, we empower students to think critically and develop a sense of self and belonging.
Core Values
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions, decisions, and commitments, holding ourselves and each other to high standards. By fostering a culture of trust, integrity, and ownership, we ensure that students, staff, and families work together to support growth, learning, and success.
Belonging
We cultivate a welcoming and inclusive community where every student, staff member, and family feels valued and supported. By embracing our unique identities and building connections with empathy, we create an environment where everyone has a place and is celebrated.
Excellence
We strive for continuous improvement in all that we do, setting high standards for learning, leadership, and personal growth.
Purpose
We act with intent, making decisions that align with our mission and create meaningful impact. We encourage students and staff to discover and pursue their own purpose, fostering growth, fulfillment, and direction.
Resilience
We embrace challenges with perseverance, determination, and a growth mindset, learning from experience and pushing forward with confidence.
Strategic Priorities
Priority 1: Student Academic Achievement
1 — Implement targeted strategies and evidence-based practices to significantly improve student performance in literacy and math across all grade levels.
2 — Strengthen bilingual instructional approaches and immersive language experiences to support fluency in both ASL and English for all students.
3 — Strengthen specialized programming, targeted supports, and flexible instructional approaches to ensure access to high-quality learning experiences for all students with additional learning needs.
Priority 2: Workforce Recruitment, Development, and Retention
1 — Strengthen recruitment to attract, support, and retain high-quality, mission-aligned school employees.
2 — Enhance retention strategies to support the growth and long-term commitment of school employees.
3 — Develop a comprehensive professional development strategy to foster continuous learning, cross-functional collaboration, and clear career advancement pathways.
Priority 3: Family Engagement
1 — Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to keep key stakeholders informed and engaged.
2 — Implement a family engagement plan that supports learning beyond the school day.
3 — Provide accessible ASL education and resources to empower all families in supporting their child's development.
Priority 4: Community Partnerships
1 — Identify and define target audience to guide outreach and engagement efforts.
2 — Explore and expand partnerships with local organizations, advocacy groups, and businesses to support school and student success.
3 — Increase public relations efforts through consistent collaboration with local media.