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About

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) was established in 1885 with support of the State of Florida and private contributions.

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Based in St. Augustine, we are recognized as one of the top schools for the deaf and blind in the nation and the only one of its kind in Florida.

 

FSDB is a fully accredited, tuition-free state public school for eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind.

 

The school serves approximately 1,000+ students each year through statewide parent-infant/family programs as well as a Montessori Pre-K early learning center and K-12 elementary, middle, and high schools on its campus.

Cognia Accredited Badge
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1885

School Founded
by Thomas C. Coleman

Vector art of a column building.

1,000+

Deaf/HH & Blind/VI Children

Served Campus & Statewide

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80+

Acre Campus located

in Historic St. Augustine

Vector art of a palm tree.

53

of 67 Florida

Counties Served

Vector art of the state of Florida.

Vision

FSDB will prepare each student for a lifetime of success.

Mission

The mission of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is to utilize all available talent, energy, and resources to provide free appropriate public education for eligible sensory-impaired students of Florida. As a school of academic excellence, the school shall strive to provide students an opportunity to access education services in a caring, safe, unique learning environment to prepare them to be literate, employable, and independent lifelong learners. The school shall provide outreach services that include collaboration with district school boards and shall encourage input from students, staff, parents, and the community. As a diverse organization, the school shall foster respect and understanding for each individual.  (Florida Statute 1002.36)

Values

Integrity & Respect — The FSDB community is a cohesive group that serves with honor, care, kindness and responsibility.

 

Safety & Security — The FSDB community is committed to the protection and well-being of stakeholders.

 

Innovation — The FSDB community welcomes change and embraces a continuous improvement mindset to encourage new methods to solve problems and foster creativity and growth.

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Trust — The FSDB community is committed to high quality services and accountability through honest, reliable and consistent actions.

Four FSDB deaf students talking in Palm Row.

Strategic Plan

The FSDB Strategic Plan 2017-2022 identifies five priority goals that will focus the work of FSDB staff members in the coming years. In addition, the plan identifies four secondary goals that are carried forward from the previous strategic plan due to their strategic importance.

FSDB Board of Trustees group photo.

Strategic Oversight

Board of Trustees

The FSDB Board of Trustees works closely with the President and the FSDB administrative team to ensure top-notch educational opportunities for students who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired.

FSDB President Tracie C. Snow

Leadership

About the President

Tracie Cascio Snow is the 19th president of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB). With over 25 years of experience working with deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired and deafblind students, Snow provides innovative, inspirational and visionary leadership with extensive experience in strategic planning, workforce development, cross-departmental collaboration and stakeholder relations.

FSDB Audiologist testing a deaf student

Health & Related Services

  • Audiologists

  • Health Care Specialists

  • Occupational Therapists

  • Physical Therapists

  • Psychologists

  • School Counselors

  • Social Workers

  • Speech-Language Therapists

  • Vision Specialists

24

Hour Health

Care Center

Blind student using cane with O&M teacher watching from behind.

Specialized Academic SERVICES

  • Adaptive Physical Education Specialists

  • American Sign Language (ASL) Specialists

  • ASL-English Specialists

  • Assistive Technology Specialists

  • Braille Specialists

  • English Language Learner (ELL) Specialists

  • Interpreter Service Providers

  • Mathematics Specialists

  • Orientation and Mobility Specialists

  • Reading Specialists

Students getting on to a yellow bus.

Transportation

FSDB provides transportation services free of charge for day and boarding students. Local students who live in St. Augustine and surrounding areas are transported daily. Students who live throughout the state go home every Friday and return to school on Sunday.

FSDB girls playing a board game in the dorm.
FSDB blind elementary students complteting homework in dorm.

Boarding Services

FSDB provides boarding services free of charge in a homelike environment for enrolled Florida students.

FSDB Blind students walking in Palm Row.
FSDB Campus Police Department

Safety & Security

The FSDB Campus Police Department provides 24/7 security and access control for the campus. The sworn law enforcement officers are also all trained and certified as School Resource Officers. The Department’s mission is to provide a safe, crime free and drug free environment for the education of sensory impaired students and to help equip students with the tools and responsibilities needed to live productive, law abiding, and rewarding lives.

9

Sworn Police

Officers

Students laughing while eating lunch.

DINING SERVICES

FSDB Culinary Services provides quality, nutritious meals to students free of charge.

 

We operate three kitchens and three dining rooms serving students and staff members approximately 1,400 meals each day,

prepared mostly from scratch.

An African-American girl making a salad in the lunch line.
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