School Bio

Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD) is one of eleven Section 4201 schools created by legislation to educate New York State’s deaf, blind and severely physically disabled students. Each school has its own Board of Directors and receives financial support for operations and programming directly from the New York State Department of Education. These eleven schools form the 4201 Schools Association of New York State. The mission of the Association is to enhance the future of New York’s children and advocate for the continuation of specialized services. Students at RSD and the other 4201 schools receive a rigorous, high quality and inclusive education. Educators at 4201 schools are experts in their field. They encourage creativity, enthusiasm and hard-work. 4201 schools are not merely an educational option for children with low-incidence disabilities, they are often the most constructive and appropriate learning setting, enabling students to discover, communicate and interact in the least restrictive environment.