ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEAF SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED THE BEST GRANT!

Rocky Mountain Deaf School was recently approved for a $13 million dollar grant from the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) Program through the Colorado Department of Education to build a new school specifically designed to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students.   Given the opportunity to build a new school means our students and community will finally have a place to call “home”.  The new school will provide up-to-date technology and an appropriate building design to prepare each deaf student to be literate, academically successful, and a lifelong learner.

We rallied support from families, community members, friends, as well as sympathizers and generous individuals and agencies. Despite all the support, at times the goal of getting our own school building seemed unobtainable and the challenges insurmountable.
After tireless work  of a dedicated building team and many supporters, RMDS’s dream of having a space to call home has become a reality. There will be no more students essay titled, “If RMDS Had a New Building…” The essays will now read, “My Favorite Things about the New Building are…” We can’t wait to grade those papers.

Our History

RMDS was founded in 1997 through continued lobbying and efforts from the deaf community. The community recognized that the unique needs of deaf children were not always met in a mainstream school setting, and the Denver Metro area had yet to establish a program designed solely for deaf and hard of hearing students. In its first year, the school was located in a modular at Slater Elementary School. We had 11 elementary students enrolled and 2 teachers employed. Since then RMDS has continued to grow and has opened a Preschool program, Learning Center, Middle School, and most recently, a High School. We currently have 60 students enrolled and employ 30 people ranging from teachers to specialists. RMDS has moved locations three times to accommodate this expansion.

Our Mission, Purpose and Services

Our purpose is to inspire every deaf student to think, to learn, to achieve, and to care.

Rocky Mountain Deaf School is founded on the belief that deaf children can and should succeed.  The driving force behind the school is a theme of excellence in research-based academic programs.  In this intellectually stimulating environment, communication is totally accessible throughout the day from every person in the child’s environment.  Each student’s potential is maximized as teachers continue to instill in each child the joy of living and learning.
Although we have a great educational program, we have relentlessly struggled with building issues. Rocky Mountain Deaf School is currently located in a rented space in a strip mall. We face obstacles such as a failing roof and an inadequate safety system.  Deaf children require visual alarms equipped with strobe lights or vibration devices. They also require video communication that is accessible in all areas of the school for emergency messages. Our current building lacks the infrastructure for these systems. As our school continues to grow each year, expansion is more and more difficult in a storefront space.
By building a new school, we would be able to provide up-to-date technology and an appropriate building design that would greatly help to meet the educational and safety needs of our students.

We still need donations to meet the Matching Funds requirement!
How You Can Help

We deeply care about our children and greatly need a new school for them to thrive and learn. We would very much appreciate any help you could give us. You may make an on-line donation or send donations to:

Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Attn: Building Fund
1921 Youngfield St. #204
Golden, CO 80401