HSDB is an ASL-English bilingual school, where students learn to be competent in both ASL and English. Students receive direct instruction from their teachers in American Sign Language (ASL). No speech is used. Students and staff communicate directly with each other, without the need for an interpreter. Our bilingual campus helps students grow up to be independent, proud, self-assured, and comfortable with both Deaf culture and hearing culture. We offer parents the opportunity to learn ASL – on campus, online, and on neighboring islands – to help them better communicate with their child.
With the majority of our students being either Hawaiian or from the Pacific islands, we also teach our students about Hawaiian culture – history, dance, food, language, and more. We want our students to be proud not only of their Deaf culture but also of their Hawaiian and Pacific heritage.
Education at HSDB is FREE to students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We have four distinct schools on our campus – Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. Admission to all four schools is by referral from the student’s home school district with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Parents should contact the principal or student services coordinator at their home school to discuss a possible placement at the HSDB.
HSDB also provides a FREE residential program on campus for students from the neighbor islands. When space permits, students residing on Oahu, who live far from campus, are able to reside on campus. Residential students arrive on campus Sunday evenings and depart for home after school on Friday afternoons. For neighbor island students, HSDB pays for the cost of airfare, ground transportation, and dinners. HSDB staff escort students to the airport and, if necessary, on the plane to and from home (for students 12 years old and younger). The residential program is only available for students eight years old or older who are able to be independent and follow dormitory rules and procedures.
HSDB follows Hawaii’s Common Core standards and graduation requirements. Additionally, HSDB teachers are expected to be highly qualified in their subject area.
