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.
77
Total Students
23.0
Full-Time Teachers
3.3
Student/Teacher Ratio
74.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for R.I. School for the Deaf
Demographic Student Count
White22
Hispanic36
Black11
Asian2
Two or More5
American Indian1
  • Hispanic
    36 (46.8%)
  • White
    22 (28.6%)
  • Black
    11 (14.3%)
  • Two or More
    5 (6.5%)
  • Asian
    2 (2.6%)
  • 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: 77
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 23.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 3.3
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 48
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 9
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 7
Kindergarten 2
Grade 1 7
Grade 2 3
Grade 3 5
Grade 4 8
Grade 5 6
Grade 6 5
Grade 7 4
Grade 8 4
Grade 9 4
Grade 10 4
Grade 11 11
Grade 12 7

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for R.I. School for the Deaf
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten7
Kindergarten2
Grade 17
Grade 23
Grade 35
Grade 48
Grade 56
Grade 65
Grade 74
Grade 84
Grade 94
Grade 104
Grade 1111
Grade 127
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for R.I. School for the Deaf
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female3241.6%
Male4558.4%