By School Districts and Parents

How many CSD students graduate with diplomas?
According to the California Department of Education, only 8% of all deaf and hard of hearing students in the state of California pass California High School Exit Exam while 50% of students at the California School for the Deaf pass HSEE. Furthermore, students who attended the Early Childhood Education have 90% to 100% chance of passing HSEE.

Has CSD always offered a comprehensive educational program?
The California School for the Deaf is a 150 years old program that has gone through various educational approaches including oralism, total communication, and others and has discovered that its current educational approach in educating deaf and hard of hearing children is the most successful.  

What is your educational approach?
Balanced bilingualism is what is being taught at the school.  English and American Sign Language have equal value. CSD is a place where deaf and hard of hearing students can participate in practical and abstract activities that require higher level thinking skills and inspire personal growth.

Do you follow state standards?
Our academic program follows state standards and our teachers are highly qualified as required by the federal law under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Are speech services available at CSD?
CSD has always offered spoken English training.  CSD offers small-sized classes in spoken English/articulation, auditory training, speech reading, and communication strategies as a pull-out service.

Who pays for the cost of educating the students at CSD?
The majority of the costs of a student’s education are covered by the State of California.  There is no charge to the school district while a student is here for an Assessment for Suitability of Placement.  Once a student is accepted, the district is assessed a portion of the costs per student.  The average cost to districts is around $6,000 per year, per student.  If a child is a day student, the school district covers the cost of daily transportation.  No additional costs are assessed for day students.

What is the area of service for CSD, Fremont?
CSD, Fremont serves students from the Oregon border to San Luis Obispo, which is approximately the upper 2/3rds of the State of California.  CSD, Riverside serves students who live in the southern third of the state.

Does CSD serve out of state students?
The State Special Schools serve students who reside in California only.  Students must have a parent or guardian who lives in California.

As a residential school, how often do students go home?
CSD students go home every Friday and return to school on Sunday.  Parents are responsible to bring the students to school the first time they come in the fall of the new school year, and to pick up students the last time they go home at the end of the school year.  Transportation is provided by CSD to and from school for the bulk of the school year.  Transportation methods for residential students include bus, BART, train, and air travel.

What is the language of instruction?
The language of instruction is American Sign Language. Spoken English services are provided as an individual or small group pull-out service.

Who can refer a student to the California School for the Deaf?
Student referrals must be supported by the student’s home school district.  However, inquiries for information can be made by parents and other family members, medical professionals, social workers, and other agency professionals.

What is the application procedure?
An application packet is available through CSD’s Admissions Office.  The packet includes an application and information release form to be completed by the parent, and a form to be completed by the teacher.  A complete application also requires a current audiogram, copies of the last 3 IEPs, the current psychological/triennial evaluation, current immunizations and a copy of the student’s birth certificate.  High school transcripts are required if appropriate. 

How quickly will an application be reviewed?
The Admissions Review Committee meets weekly to process completed applications.

Can students transfer to CSD during the school year?
Applications can be made at any time.  We encourage families and school districts to plan for their students to start at the beginning of the school year but students may apply to transfer at any time.

How old do students need to be to attend CSD as residential students?
Students must be at least 5 years old and kindergarten ready.  Students in preschool and pre-kindergarten classes must be day students.