Admissions
Serving 1,000 infants, toddlers, and students throughout Florida, FSDB makes it possible for students to do more, be more and achieve more through academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Considering FSDB?
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind. FSDB is accredited by Cognia and the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD).
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Come visit the campus in St. Augustine! Click the link below to learn how to schedule a tour.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for admission to FSDB has been established by the State of Florida, and prospective students must meet all criteria in order to be eligible for admission or for continued enrollment.
Parents/legal guardians living in Florida have the opportunity to choose the school that best meets the needs of their child. If your child meets eligibility requirements, FSDB may be an option.
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To find out if your child is eligible to attend FSDB, s/he must be evaluated through an admissions eligibility process.
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Each child’s eligibility for enrollment at FSDB or continued enrollment is based on the recommendation of an admissions eligibility team that includes parents/guardians as part of the review process. Review the process below to learn about the steps involved and how to get started with your child’s application.
Application Process
Step 1
APPLY & SUBMIT RECORDS
Complete application and collect your child’s required records and documents, and then mail, fax or email the package to the FSDB registrar. FSDB may also request school and medical records. It may take several weeks for FSDB to receive all documentation. Parents/guardians
or adult students can help facilitate the process by including records with the application package.
To speed up the process, include the following documents (if applicable), with the application:
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Birth Certificate
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Custody Documents
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School Physical
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Immunization Records
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Audiological and/or Eye Medical Records
Step 2
RECORDS REVIEW
Once the registrar has collected all records, the file review team reviews the application package. Parents/guardians or adult students will be contacted either by phone to schedule an evaluation day or by letter outlining possible eligibility concerns.
Step 3
ADMISSIONS REVIEW
Evaluations can take up to a full day. Typically, evaluations begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude between 3-4 p.m. on the same day. Parents/guardians and their child(ren) or the adult student are involved in discussions and decisions throughout the day.
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The day will begin with a brief meeting to explain the evaluations that the admissions team would like to carry out. The prospective student will be asked to accompany the evaluator to the testing rooms. Breaks will be provided as needed, including visits with parents/legal guardians.
After lunch break, the admissions team shares evaluation results with the parents/legal guardians and student or the adult student. It is at this time that eligibility criteria will be reviewed, and the team will determine eligibility to attend FSDB.
Step 4
outcomes
Eligible
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An IEP will be developed along with an enrollment start date.
Temporary Assignment
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An enrollment start date is given for an extended evaluation period.
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Final determination will be made after additional information is collected.
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Not Eligible
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When an ineligible determination is made, future reapplication is possible.
fsdb at a Glance
1885
School Founded by
Thomas C. Coleman
24/7
Health Care Center
21
Athletic Team
Sports
80+
Acre campus located in
historic St. Augustine
6
Pre-K & K-12 Schools
41
Athletic National
Championships
1,000+
Students served on
Campus & Statewide
14
Mental Health Providers
89
Clubs, Performing Arts
& Extracurricular Activities