R.I. School for the Deaf

School Overview
The Rhode Island School for the Deaf (RISD), located in Providence, is a specialized educational institution dedicated to serving students who are deaf or hard of hearing from birth through age 21. As a state-funded program, the school provides a comprehensive educational experience that centers on bilingualism, utilizing both American Sign Language (ASL) and English to ensure full communication access. The campus environment is designed to foster a strong sense of community and cultural identity, allowing students to thrive in a setting where their unique communication needs are the primary focus of the curriculum.

Beyond traditional academics, the school emphasizes holistic development, offering a range of extracurricular activities, athletic programs, and support services tailored to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. By maintaining a student-centered approach, RISD works to bridge the gap between deaf culture and the broader world, preparing its students for success in higher education, vocational training, and independent living. The school serves not only as a place of learning but also as a resource hub for families and professionals seeking expertise in deaf education throughout Rhode Island.
78
Total Students
22.8
Full-Time Teachers
3.4
Student/Teacher Ratio
73.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for R.I. School for the Deaf
Demographic Student Count
White29
Hispanic37
Black9
Asian1
Two or More1
American Indian1
  • Hispanic
    37 (47.4 %)
  • White
    29 (37.2 %)
  • Black
    9 (11.5 %)
  • Asian
    1 (1.3 %)
  • Two or More
    1 (1.3 %)
  • American Indian
    1 (1.3 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Other
School Type: Special Education School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: R.I. Sch for the Deaf
Phone: (401)222-3525
Grade Range: Pre-K - 12th
Total Students: 78
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 22.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 3.4
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 48
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 9
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 7
Kindergarten 11
Grade 1 1
Grade 2 6
Grade 3 4
Grade 4 4
Grade 5 3
Grade 6 3
Grade 7 3
Grade 8 5
Grade 9 10
Grade 10 7
Grade 11 4
Grade 12 10

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for R.I. School for the Deaf
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten7
Kindergarten11
Grade 11
Grade 26
Grade 34
Grade 44
Grade 53
Grade 63
Grade 73
Grade 85
Grade 910
Grade 107
Grade 114
Grade 1210
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for R.I. School for the Deaf
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female3241%
Male4659%