• Enrolling Students at GSD

    Is your child Deaf or Hard of Hearing? We welcome the opportunity to discuss with you all GSD has to offer Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and why GSD might be a good placement option for your child. Below you will find the guidelines and requirements for enrollment at GSD. Not sure about enrolling your child in a school you've never visited? We'd love to give you a tour! You can contact Beth Bell, the Student Services Administrative Assistant, at 678-710-8983 or email ebell@doe.k12.ga.us to schedule a time to see the campus and speak with a school representative about why GSD might be the right fit for your child. 

    Enrollment

    • Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD), operated by the Department of Education, is a referral-based educational option in Georgia’s comprehensive continuum of programs and services available to deaf/hard of hearing, school-aged children who are legal residents of the state; their parents; and local school officials. School admission at GSD for day students is available for students ages 3 to 21. Students must be at least 4 years of age to stay in the dorm. All dorm students must be able to independently take care of their daily needs. Dorm students arrive on Sundays after 4:30. All students leave for home on Fridays at 11:45. Transportation is the responsibility of the local school system.

     

    • Referral to the State School is the responsibility of the student’s local school system (LSS), working in collaboration with the student’s parents and GSD officials. The LSS must provide all evaluations and assessments, including any medical information and evaluations, to the Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD), in order to formally initiate the referral process. The actual enrollment of a student at GSD will be determined by the student’s IEP Team following a review of Present Levels of Academic Performance and Independent Functioning, development of student programming goals, and a discussion of placement options. However, the following enrollment criteria are suggested to provide guidance to the IEP Team(s), and to help clarify students for whom GSD might be an appropriate option:

    Eligibility Criteria

    1. The student must meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in State Board Rule 160-4-7-.02 for deaf/hard of hearing students. The student’s hearing loss must be such that it inhibits the child’s ability to process auditory information and therefore requires the use of visual communication methods and specialized instructional techniques. The hearing impairment must have the potential to adversely affect the applicant’s academic performance, social development, language development, communication skill, or intellectual functioning.
    2. There must be adequate space in the facility and/or program

    The Local School System must provide the following information as a part of the referral process:

    1. A letter of referral stating what services are requested
    2. An audiological evaluation current within the past year and otological (ENT) evaluation report/form
    3. Special education eligibility form, including Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Hearing Impairment eligibility and/or additional eligibility if appropriate; all initial eligibility and current eligibility paperwork is required
    4. Current vision screening report (within the past year)
    5. The current Georgia IEP and Eligibility/Reevaluation report
    6. GSD’s application packet
    7. All current medical information signed by a doctor (3300 form)
    8. Georgia Physical Form signed by a physician (required for Dorm students and athletes)
    9. Current assessment information, including psychological/cognitive functioning information, psycho-social assessment information, and vision screening/assessment information
    10. Education records, including transcript, report card, attendance record, and disciplinary record
    11. A current certificate of immunization
    12. Information from law enforcement agencies, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Georgia Family and Children Services, and any other agency with which the student has been involved
    13. GSD requires that all LEA’s set up and provide transportation (if needed) for student/parent tour of GSD campus.

    Upon receipt of the completed information, GSD’s Enrollment Committee reviews materials within five (5) school days and schedules the IEP/Placement meeting if there is no further additional information.

    If you have any further questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact Elizabeth Bell, Student Services Administrative Assistant at 678-710-8983 or email at ebell@doe.k12.ga.us

    Mail the completed packet to:

    Student Support Services

    Georgia School for the Deaf

    232 Perry Farm Rd. SW

    Cave Spring, GA 30124

    ATTENTION: Jamie Herston

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