Metro Deaf School promotes academic excellence in Deaf Education using an ASL/English bilingual approach.
Our primary purpose is to empower our students to develop a sense of identity and pride as Deaf persons while providing them the skills and knowledge to succeed as global citizens.

Metro Deaf School’s philosophy is founded on bilingual education. The bilingual philosophy is one that is centered on the deaf child’s ability and tendency to interact with the world through visual means as opposed to aural means. Since deaf children cannot hear, they rely primarily on visual cues to understand and interact with the world.

• The bilingual philosophy focuses on this basic premise by using American Sign Language (ASL), a language of its own right, as the primary language of instruction.
• English is taught as a dual language through print (reading and writing). Students are provided with equal access to the two languages through ASL and written English.
• Early exposure to reading is necessary for optimal competencies in reading and writing. One must have a solid language base in order to become a skilled reader. English acquisition is facilitated when students are competent in ASL, have the benefit of strong ASL language models (both at home and in school), and their environment is rich in reading materials and an appreciation for reading is strongly promoted.
• The decision to develop spoken English skills is determined on an individual basis.

Metro Deaf School’s students have the right to an educational environment where they are able to understand and be understood by others.

• Direct instruction from a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing and interaction with deaf/hard of hearing peers, fluent in ASL, provide the most advantageous learning environment.

The bilingual philosophy also emphasizes teaching Deaf history and culture as well as literacy skills as they relate to ASL.

• The curriculum ensures the combination of instruction in a language, ASL, which has improved the reading and writing skills of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, as well as the incorporation of identity and culture that enhances a child’s self-esteem.
• MDS provides students with the knowledge of and access to both Deaf and hearing communities and their unique cultures and values.