Manitoba Education, Training and Youth, as part of the continuum of government services offered to Deaf and hard of hearing students across the province operates the Manitoba School for the Deaf. It is available to students between the ages of five and 21 who live in Manitoba, have an identified hearing loss and would benefit from an American Sign Language ASL) environment.

The Bilingual-Bicultural Environment

At the Manitoba School for the Deaf we offer a bilingual-bicultural environment, with ASL as the language of instruction and attribute of its students. ASL is not ‘signed’ English but a separate language with distinct structures and grammar. We believe that the recognition and acceptance of ASL and a Deaf Culture provides a valuable foundation for the development of self-esteem in our students.

In short, we do not view deafness as a disability.

Our Facilities

Manitoba School for the Deaf offers a technologically advanced environment to its students.

Each instructional area is equipped with a 27” colour television and at least one computer which operates on the computer network throughout the building. The televisions are connected to our Multimedia Centre & Library and facilitates up to six different video presentations controlled by the teacher in each classroom. The school also houses a modern biology lab and industrial arts area.

We understand the importance of computer literacy to our students, and therefore provide a variety of computer learning opportunities, including desktop publishing. Within our facilities are an elementary computer lab and two junior/senior computer labs. Email and Internet access is also available to our students.

Visual announcements in hallways and classrooms are a procedure in lieu of spoken public address announcements. A video studio with video editing capabilities and a closed captioning suite are also available for student use. Desktop Video Conferencing is being established with rural schools.

Visible doorbell and fire alarm systems are situated throughout the school.

Academic Programming

Manitoba School for the Deaf offers an educational program from Kindergarten (four full days per week) to Senior 4. Following provincial curriculum guidelines, programming includes the core subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science/Health and Physical Education. Students attending the Manitoba School for the Deaf may transfer to regular schools and where appropriate, those in regular schools may transfer to MSD. Some students at MSD choose to attend high school courses on a part-time basis at nearby John Taylor Collegiate and are supported with an ASL/ English interpreter from MSD.

Three levels of programming are offered, as follows:

Academic Programming

Students who successfully complete Senior 4 programming obtain a minimum of 28 credits for graduation as specified by Manitoba Education, Training and Youth for all schools in the province. MSD provides the necessary courses to meet entrance requirements for college, university and other post-secondary programs.

Vocational Programming

Focus at the vocational level is for those students who will enter the workforce after completing their High School.

Special Education Programming

This programming is for students who are developmentally, emotionally or behaviourally challenged. Special classes or assistance within regular classrooms is provided. Behavioural counsellors and educational assistants support classroom teachers where required.

Extra Curricular Activities

Students are given the opportunity to compete with other schools in sports activities, such as volleyball, basketball, badminton and provincial track and field events.

Winnipeg’s Parks and Recreation branch also provides after school programs and activities for elementary, junior & senior students. Special opportunities are also available for those eligible students wishing to attend activities, such as the National Youth Canada Tournament of the Deaf, the National Ladder Awards for Literacy for Deaf Students, Rotary Club International student exchange programs and the Terry Fox Leadership Camp in Ottawa. Senior students annually participate in, and have won several awards at, the Provincial High School Robotics Challenges.

Transition Assistance from School to Community

Assistance is available to all students making the transition from school to community. Those with special needs are connected with various programs and community resources to help make their transition smooth. For those students seeking post-secondary education and training or direct access to employment, assistance is available from the School Guidance Counsellor, the Work Education Teacher, and several community agencies as well as federal and provincial government employment services.

Our Professional Resource Team

All students, their families and school staff are welcome to benefit from various professional services provided by our Resource Team within the Manitoba School for the Deaf. These include an English Language Specialist, an Educational Audiologist, a Speech and Language Pathologist, an American Sign Language Specialist, a Resource Teacher, a School Psychologist, a Guidance Counsellor, a Bilingual-Bicultural Officer and a Staff Interpreter.

Resource Team members, in addition to providing support to students attending our school, also provide assessments and programming suggestions for Deaf and hard of hearing students in mainstream academic environments throughout the province, and are available for informal consultation.

Accommodation and Transportation

Manitoba School for the Deaf operates as a day school, with a residential component. Elementary students who live within the perimeter of Winnipeg are transported from home to school daily. Junior and senior High School students are provided with tickets for independent travel on Winnipeg Transit buses.

For students living outside the perimeter of Winnipeg, a dormitory is available with individual rooms for both girls and boys. Accommodation also includes family-like eating and living areas, play areas and computer rooms. A small dining room provides nutritious meals. The dormitory is open from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon, with students usually traveling home each weekend.