Washington State School for the Deaf

611 Grand Blvd.

Vancouver, WA 98661

360-696-6525 voice/TTY

800-613-4228 voice/TTY

General Information

WSD students come from all areas of the state to attend school. Students that live outside the Vancouver, Washington area are eligible to attend the school's Residential Program. WSD accepts applications throughout the year and admission to the schools is based on the approval from the administration.

Mission: Washington School for the Deaf's mission is to address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students throughout the state by providing instructional services, partnering with parents and other agencies for systemic, integrated services to improve learning outcomes regardless of where the student attends school.

Vision: WSD is responsible for ensuring all deaf or hard-of-hearing students in Washington State are successful in their adult lives. WSD will operate as the statewide educational, consulting and transitional center for deaf and hard of hearing students, their families and their school districts.

Form of Government

Appointed board of directors

School Officials

There are nine members of the school's board of directors.

District 1

Allie "AJ" Joiner

District 2

Pat Clothier

District 3

Gail Pollock

District 4

Bonnie Decker

District 5

Char Parsley

District 6

Rita Rendeau

District 7

Ariele Belo

District 8

Sidney Weldele-Wallace

District 9

Larry Swift

Staff

Rick Hauan, superintendent

Engagement Opportunities

Volunteers play an important role at WSD and are highly valued by our school. We will place you in a volunteer position based on your interest, experience, availability, and ASL skills. We welcome all ASL skill levels, from beginners to native signers.

Many volunteer possibilities exist at the school.

Notes of Special Interest

Washington School for Defective Youth was established on February 3, 1886 in Vancouver, Clark County by Watson Squire, the 11th territorial governor.
In 1888 the Fourth Plain property was exchanged for 17 acres that were more accessible to Vancouver with a beautiful view overlooking the Columbia River, "The Great River of the West." This is the present site of the school. The property was the original site of Fort Vancouver from 1824 to 1846, built by the Hudson's Bay Company, a British trading company.