HAWAII SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND

Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind is a Title I public school that is part of the Hawaii Department of Education school district, located in Honolulu, HI with about 54 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 4 teachers, Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind has a student/teacher ratio of about 13:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind (HSDB), located in the Leahi neighborhood of Honolulu, serves as the state’s primary educational institution dedicated to meeting the unique linguistic and academic needs of students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. As a specialized public school under the Hawaii Department of Education, it provides a comprehensive K–12 curriculum that integrates rigorous academic standards with specialized instruction, including American Sign Language (ASL), Braille literacy, and orientation and mobility training. The school is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where students can thrive both socially and intellectually, often acting as a resource hub for families and professionals throughout the islands.

Beyond traditional classroom instruction, HSDB places a strong emphasis on empowering students to become independent and active members of their communities. The school’s curriculum is designed to support the "whole child," incorporating life-skills development, assistive technology integration, and extracurricular opportunities that might be inaccessible in a traditional mainstream setting. By combining specialized pedagogical techniques with a supportive, identity-affirming culture, the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind ensures that its students have the tools necessary to pursue post-secondary education, vocational success, and personal growth in a hearing and sighted world.

For more information, contact Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind at (808) 733-4999 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.