OREGON SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

Oregon School for the Deaf is a public school that is part of the Oregon Department of Education school district, located in Salem, OR with about 118 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. With about 19 teachers, Oregon School for the Deaf has a student/teacher ratio of about 6:1. 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 Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD), located in Salem, is a state-funded residential and day school dedicated to providing high-quality education for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Serving students from across Oregon, the school offers a comprehensive K-12 curriculum that emphasizes both academic excellence and the development of strong social and communication skills. By utilizing American Sign Language (ASL) as the primary language of instruction, the school creates a fully accessible environment that fosters self-advocacy and cultural pride, allowing students to thrive in a community where they are not defined by their hearing loss.

Beyond its academic programs, OSD is deeply committed to supporting the holistic needs of its students, offering a range of extracurricular activities, athletics, and residential life programs that encourage independence and peer connection. The school serves as a vital resource for the Oregon deaf community, providing a unique environment where students can engage with their peers and role models in an immersive, language-rich setting. Through its focus on equity and specialized instructional strategies, the Oregon School for the Deaf works to ensure that every student is empowered to succeed in both their personal lives and their future pursuits.

For more information, contact Oregon School for the Deaf at (503) 378-3825 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.