FSDB As A School Of ChoiceBordered by Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway and historic neighborhoods, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) is located in the nation’s oldest city of St. Augustine. In 2015, the school celebrated its 130 years of service during the city’s 450th anniversary commemoration activities.

Through the support of the Florida state legislature, the FSDB campus since its founding in 1885, grew to its present 80+ acres. FSDB today is recognized among top schools across the nation. White stucco buildings with Spanish tiled roofs, graceful palm trees, and majestic live oaks create a serene setting for students to learn, live and play.

FSDB is a tuition-free, fully accredited state public school and outreach center – available to eligible students who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. Academic, career development, extracurricular, and boarding programs at the school are designed to meet the individual needs of students and prepare them to become literate, independent, and productive citizens who contribute to the communities in which they reside.

Currently, FSDB serves 1,000+ students both on campus in Pre-K-12 and continuing education programs as well as throughout the state through its parent-infant programs.

The educational curriculum at FSDB begins with a pre-kindergarten Montessori-based Early Learning Center, continuing to six K-12 elementary, middle, and high school programs. FSDB also offers a continuing education program for adult students through age 21 with focus on independent living skills.

Primarily funded through state legislature appropriations, FSDB is part of the state’s public education system. FSDB cannot charge tuition or levy taxes like school districts; it receives no local funding, no lottery funds, and no special category funds. FSDB accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds.

Parents choose FSDB for the exceptional resources and opportunities that are not available elsewhere. At FSDB, their children have the ease of direct learning, a wide range of academic programs and campus life opportunities, and effortless communication within the campus and with civic and community partners.

Why Parents Choose FSDB ¡ Comprehensive educational services designed for the unique communication and

accessibility needs of students, e.g., American Sign Language, auditory/speech services, braille, large print technologies, etc.

¡ Statewide early intervention opportunities for parents, infants, and toddlers through Parent Infant Programs and an on-campus Montessori-based Early Learning Center.

¡ Parent engagement and networking opportunities that include workshops and courses on specialized topics identified as being of interest to parents.

¡ High standards for teaching and learning—innovative academic, career development, and workforce training that extends beyond the traditional classroom.

¡ Highly qualified teachers who hold dual certification in education of deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired students, as well as in their specific academic content areas.

¡ Twenty-plus educators and specialists who hold National Board Certification. Several are recognized experts serving on state and national boards and committees.

Do More. Be More. Achieve More.

Florida School forthe Deaf & the Blind

¡ Small class sizes allowing teachers to provide individualized and differentiated instruction. Advanced technologies in every classroom aimed at maximizing student achievement.

¡ Student programs of study that include virtual education opportunities and specialized career and technical training on campus and through partnerships with the First Coast Technical College and related entities.

¡ Summer reading enrichment programs for enrolled elementary students.

¡ Highly trained specialized services personnel, e.g., reading and language, speech and audiology, orientation and mobility, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), physical and occupational therapy, and allied healthcare.

¡ Boarding services for students living outside of St. Johns County, providing caring home-away-from-home living within a safe and secure campus environment staffed by specialized personnel.

¡ Diverse extracurricular, recreational, and performing arts activities for students, including academic and athletic competitions with public and private schools in Florida and across the country.

¡ Trusted statewide and nationally recognized resource for school districts, parents, educators, specialized professionals, colleges and universities, and organizations that work alongside or interact with the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired communities.

FSDB Prepares Each Student for a Lifetime of SuccessWhat truly sets FSDB apart from other schools are dedicated and highly qualified staff members, who work tirelessly to nurture the academic, career, and extracurricular success of students. In so doing, they provide the foundation by which students can continue to gain greater knowledge and skills after they leave FSDB.

Students at FSDB work toward Florida high school graduation requirements; the majority of graduates continue their education at postsecondary or technical programs while others go directly to competitive work. The overall goal of FSDB is to prepare students to become literate, independent, and productive citizens who contribute to the communities in which they reside.

Many well-known and successful individuals who have attended FSDB include singer-songwriter Ray Charles, jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, former sports broadcaster Joseph “Joe” Walker, blues legend Charles Atkins, Tampa Bay Rays Spanish language broadcaster Enrique Oliú, and national women’s Motocross champion Ashley Fiolek.

From the moment you set foot on the FSDB campus, you will sense the passion and commitment that defines the school, the educators and specialists, and the students. Our expectations are high and our enthusiasm for students to Do More, Be More, and Achieve More has no limits.

¡ Visit the FSDB website at www.fsdb.k12.fl.us to learn more about eligibility for enrollment.

¡ Call us toll-free at 800.344.3732 or by videophone at 904.201.4527 to arrange a campus tour.

Florida School forthe Deaf & the Blind207 N. San Marco Avenue • St. Augustine, FL 32084Toll-free: 800.344.3732 • Videophone: 904.201.4527www.fsdb.k12.fl.us

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