Middle School

Our middle school department consists of 6th through 8th grades at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf.

What is Middle School like at PDSD?

The average class size is 8 students (with a range of 4 to 10 students), providing maximum opportunity for individualization.  On average, we have two classes at each grade level, working together as a department for students in K– 5th grade.

Three students are seen walking down the sidewalk

Our dedicated teachers have degrees in Deaf Education and/or Special Education and are all highly qualified and properly certified through the Arizona Department of Education and in many cases hold various other certifications and training in core academic areas. They are fluent in American Sign Language.  They focus on developing language and communication skills throughout the school day, while providing academic instruction aligned with Arizona state standards.

The students are instructed through the use of American Sign Language to support and bridge information to/from the English language. During these years, students are challenged with complex language structures in English as well as ASL. It is during these years that the English language becomes more complex. These challenges are addressed, with the ultimate goal of language competence in two languages, ASL and English. Keeping this goal in mind, students are provided instruction which follows the Arizona State Standards specific to their grade level. Other components that drive instruction are Individualized Education Plans (IEP), Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) testing, state assessment and various other school based assessments.

Students rotate throughout the day to different teachers for their core academic and specials classes. Core academics instruction consists of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. 

Staff is costume hand out candy
Staff paint map of U.S. on ground

Students in our program receive the following services:

    • direct instruction provided by a certified Teacher of the Deaf throughout the school day
    • access to direct communication with deaf and hard of hearing peers their own age for communication and socialization
    • access to deaf and hard of hearing adult role models
    • opportunities to attend specials such as PE, Fine Arts, Technology and Deaf Studies
    • support from Related Services staff as outlined in Individual Education Plans (IEPs) as needed, including:  speech and auditory training, OT, PT, counseling and behavior support.

Our current curriculum and resources include: 

    • National Geographic (for ELA)
    • Bilingual Grammar Curriculum (as needed)
    • Accelerated Reading
    • Reading A-Z
    • Savvas Envision Math
    • HMH Science
    • History Alive (Social Studies)