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New York State School for the Deaf

New York State School for the Deaf

Admissions

Who Can Attend NYSSD?

  • The New York State Education Department requires that an applicant have a hearing loss of at least 80dB in the better ear. However, students have been accepted to our school if they are considered to be "functionally deaf."
  • The student must reside in New York State.
  • For more information regarding admission to our school please, contact Kathryn Baillie, Department Head: Pupil Personnel Services, at 315-337-8400 ext. 7808 or kathryn.baillie@nysed.gov.

How Do I Apply?

  1. The students’ parent/guardian or the CSE/CPSE of the students’ district of residence requests an intake evaluation for possible placement by completing an application.
  2. The PHC-10 application is submitted to the State Education Department (SED) with the request documentation listed on the application. 

PHC-10 Application – English Version

PHC-10 Application – Spanish Version

The application can also be obtained by contacting the Education Office at NYSSD: (315) 337-8400

Eligibility Determination

SED determines if the student meets the eligibility criteria to proceed with an intake evaluation.

  • If it is determined that the student does meet initial criteria, SED sends a letter to the parent/guardian, with a copy to NYSSD and to the district of residence stating that a referral for an intake evaluation for placement is approved.
  • If it is determined that the student does not meet the eligibility criteria, SED sends a letter to the parent/guardian, with a copy to NYSSD and to the district of residence stating the reason(s) that the application cannot be processed. 

Student Evaluation

  1. An SED Regional Associate sends a letter to the parent/guardian approving an intake evaluation at NYSSD. A copy is also sent to NYSSD and to the students’ district of residence.
  2. The NYSSD Department Head: Pupil Personnel Services calls the parent to schedule an intake evaluation. This contact will occur within one week of receipt of the letter of approval from the Regional Associate.
  3. A request for consent for NYSSD to conduct evaluations and additional paperwork is sent to the parent/guardian to be completed prior to the intake evaluations.
  4. NYSSD requests education records from the school district of residence.
  5. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and student applicant participate in an intake evaluation at NYSSD. This includes a variety of evaluations, interviews, and a campus tour of the education program and residential program, if applicable.
  6. A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting is scheduled and held to discuss the results of the intake evaluation and to determine the most appropriate, least restrictive environment for the child’s education.

Approval Process

  1. A copy of all evaluation reports and recommendations from the MDT are forwarded to the NYSSD superintendent for consideration. If the superintendent agrees with the MDT recommendation, a letter, along with the evaluations and recommendations, is sent to the SED Regional Associate. A copy of all evaluation reports and recommendations are also sent to the parent/guardian and district of residence.
  2. The Regional Associate reviews the evaluations and the recommendations and approves/disapproves the appointment to NYSSD. If the Regional Associate agrees that NYSSD can provide an appropriate program and is the least restrictive environment for the child, a letter approving the appointment of the child to NYSSD is sent to the parent/guardian and the school district with an estimated start date.

    For more information regarding the admission process at NYSSD, please contact the Department Head: Pupil Personnel Services, Kathryn Baillie, at 315-337-8400 ext. 7808 or kathryn.baillie@nysed.gov.