Mission & 

Philosophy

The MISSION of The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is to provide quality education and enriching life experiences to prepare Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students for life-long participation in the communities of their choice.

We Believe that:

• Given an early, consistent and accessible language-rich environment and challenged by high expectations, learners will attain: academic and technological competence, the ability to think critically and creatively, and a strong sense of positive self-identity.
• Effective instruction links learning to life and fosters successful independence through academic, social, physical, cultural and self-reflecting personal experiences.
• Language access is the center of learning and literacy and levels the "playing field" for optimal achievement for all.
• An appropriate ASL/English bilingual program includes signed, written and spoken languages for deaf and hard of hearing learners.
• Each learner is unique. Valuing and respecting differences enriches the quality of life for everyone.
• Meaningful partnerships with families and diverse communities provide the foundation fro personal growth and character development.
• Students flourish when engaged in safe and caring communities with which they identify.

              Ultimately, we believe in our students 
                   and they believe in us!