Application Process

The Louisiana School for the Deaf (LSD) is a state school that offers a comprehensive education for students PreK through Grade 12 at no cost to their families. LSD provides instruction in a bilingual environment of American Sign Language and English. To be considered for admission to LSD, students must be deaf or hard-of-hearing between the ages of 3-21 and reside in the state of Louisiana. They must also qualify for admission. You can learn more about the eligibility requirements here.

Enrolling at the Louisiana School for the Deaf is possible by:

  • Parental Application: At each IEP conference, parents have the right to review the choices of educational placements available to their child. Louisiana law (Act 433) empowers parents to choose between the program offered by their local school system and the program offered by LSD. Parents can apply directly to LSD at any time during the school year.

  • State Department of Education (SDE) Referral: The local school system can refer a deaf/hard-of-hearing student to LSD through the SDE.

  • LSD Evaluation: The local school system can refer a deaf/hard-of-hearing student to LSD for an evaluation by the Statewide Assessment Center for the Hearing Impaired/Visually Impaired (SWAC-HI/VI) to determine levels of performance and program needs. Evaluations include educational, audiological and communication assessments.

Learn more about Enrollment and the process here at LSD.

Student Application Form is linked here Spanish Version

Please submit your application or questions and requests for information about admissions to:
ChaCarol Mills

Admin Program Specialist

Admissions/Records 

2888 Brightside Lane

Baton Rouge, LA 70820

225-757-3202 (office)

225-757-3486 (fax)
CMills@lsdvi.org

Support Services

In order to provide such a comprehensive and individualized program for the benefit of each of our students, LSD offers a wide range of services that provide support to students, their families, to LSD staff members, to programs offered by the school, and to other school systems and communities throughout the state. All support efforts are aimed at improving the overall quality of our academic and residential life programs, making a student's school experience the best it can be.

Audiological

Audiological services are offered to LSD students, as well as to students referred from school systems around the state. Here are some of the audiological services provided:

  • LSD dispenses hearing aids, batteries and ear molds through the Medicaid program for students enrolled at LSD

  • Cochlear implant troubleshooting and assistance is available to LSD students who have Cochlear Americas Speech Processors

  • Classroom/personal amplification systems (FM and infrared) are provided throughout the campus.

  • A loaner hearing aid bank provides loaner aids to LSD students as needed.

Since January 1, 2004, private insurers and nonprofit health organizations must provide health insurance coverage for hearing aids for minor children. The maximum coverage will be $1,400 per hearing aid once every 36 months.

Speech

In order to lay the foundation for academic and social success, speech and language services at Louisiana School for the Deaf are delivered by ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologists who are experienced in language/communication development and understand and address the unique needs of our students.

The following services are provided:

  • comprehensive initial speech and language testing

  • development and maintenance of IEP goals and objectives based on individual needs

  • both push-in and pull-out methods of therapy are provided

  • multiple modes of communication skills are addressed; ASL, oral, written, total communication

  • auditory training; development of listening skills; auditory-verbal therapy techniques

  • articulation therapy

  • vocabulary development

  • individual, play-based, small group, and drilled practice techniques are utilized

  • FM systems/classroom audio systems

  • daily maintenance of hearing aids and cochlear implants

  • modern technology enhances our services: SmartBoards/iPads/computer software

By combining all resources available and tailoring therapy services to each individual we are able to provide avenues for maximum communication in each child’s environment and enhance the lives of all of our students.