Maryland School for the Deaf

What Maryland School for the Deaf does

The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) is a public, state-supported educational institution providing free bilingual (American Sign Language and English) education to deaf and hard-of-hearing residents of Maryland from birth through age 21. Founded in 1868 and headquartered in Frederick, MSD operates two campuses: the Frederick Campus (68 acres, 14 buildings, serving birth through age 21 including early intervention, preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and the Orioles Career Academy for ages 18-21) and the Columbia Campus (55 acres in Ellicott City/Howard County, serving birth through 8th grade). The institution enrolls 450+ students, employs 101-250 staff, and is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of Maryland.

MSD's core programs include Family Education and Early Childhood Education, K-12 academics, Career and Technical Education housed in the recently renovated Veditz Building, the Orioles Career Academy transition program for ages 18-21, and an athletics program with a record of 5 National Academic Bowl Championships and 92 National Deaf Prep Championships. Comprehensive support services cover audiology, autism services, counseling, speech-language, occupational and physical therapy, transportation, and a student health center. Technology infrastructure is standard for K-12: PowerSchool as the Student Information System, Schoology as the LMS, with Zoom and YouTube used for virtual events and community communications. The institution also stewards the historic Hessian Barracks, a Revolutionary War-era stone structure on the Frederick campus.

MSD is funded primarily through Maryland state appropriations and federal Title grants, with additional grant income from sources such as the $750,000 National Park Service Semiquincentennial grant for Hessian Barracks preservation. Tuition is free for enrolled students. The school pursues philanthropic support through the MSD Foundation and partners with organizations including Sorenson Communications, Gallaudet University, and the MSD Athletic Booster Club. Leadership includes Superintendent John A. Serrano (12th superintendent, appointed January 25, 2023), Chief of Staff Jennifer Lake, Chief Financial/Operating Officer Brian Halloran, and Chief Educational Programs Officers Dawniela Halischak (Columbia) and Tara Holloway (Frederick, interim). MSD is currently executing a Board-endorsed 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and a major Frederick Campus dormitory replacement project.

Name

Maryland School for the Deaf

Legal name

Maryland School for the Deaf

Website

https://msd.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Maryland School for the Deaf is a public, state-funded institution providing free bilingual (ASL/English) education to deaf and hard-of-hearing Maryland residents from birth through age 21, operating two campuses serving 450+ students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), Hearing Impairment & Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Inclusive Childcare (HSAAAIAJ), Environmental Modifications & Classroom Accessibility (Ergonomics, Seating/Positioning) (EDAKAFAH)

Keywords

• Deaf education services
• Bilingual ASL education
• Special education programs
• Residential school services
• Career technical education

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. State Funding: As a public, state-supported educational institution, MSD is primarily funded through Maryland state appropriations. The school provides free tuition to students.
2. Federal Grants: Receives portion of budget through federal grants including Title programs.
3. Grant Funding: Receives grants for specific projects such as the $750,000 Semiquincentennial grant from National Park Service for Hessian Barracks preservation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maryland School for the Deaf provides free, tuition-free public bilingual (ASL/English) education and residential programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through age 21, operating two state-funded campuses in Frederick and Columbia/Ellicott City. Core offerings span early intervention, elementary, middle, and high school academics, the Orioles Career Academy transition program (ages 18-21), Career & Technical Education, on-site support services (audiology, counseling, speech-language, occupational/physical therapy), athletics, after-school programming, and summer camps.

Product overview

The Maryland School for the Deaf operates as a unified educational institution offering bilingual education (American Sign Language and English) for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through age 21. The institution operates two campuses: the Frederick Campus (birth through age 21, including the Orioles Career Academy for students 18-21) and the Columbia Campus (birth through 8th grade). Beyond core academics, MSD provides comprehensive support services (audiology, counseling, speech-language, occupational/physical therapy), residential programs, athletics (with multiple national championships), Career & Technical Education, after school programs, and summer camps. The institution's programming is unified by its bilingual educational approach and commitment to full language access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Frederick Campus Educational Program Bilingual (ASL/English) educational program serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through age 21, including early intervention, preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and the Orioles Career Academy. Located on 68 acres with 14 buildings including academic buildings, residence halls, gymnasiums, swimming pool, athletic fields, auditoriums, and a school museum; also includes the historic Hessian Barracks.
• Columbia Campus Educational Program Bilingual (ASL/English) educational program serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students from birth through 8th grade, including early intervention, preschool, elementary school, and middle school. Students transition to the Frederick campus for high school. Located on 55 acres in Ellicott City with multi-functional buildings.
• Orioles Career Academy Secondary transition program for students ages 18 to 21, part of the Frederick Campus, designed to support students in transitioning from school to career and adult life through individualized planning, work-to-learn experiences, and related services.
• Career & Technical Education (CTE) Vocational training and career preparation programs housed in the renovated Veditz Building on the Frederick campus, offering hands-on career pathways and technical skills development for high school students.
• Audiology Services On-site audiology services provided as part of MSD's support services to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, including hearing device management, audiological assessments, and related support for student learning.
• Counseling Services School counseling services for MSD students addressing social-emotional development, mental health, and academic counseling needs across both campuses.
• Speech-Language Services Speech-language therapy and related services supporting students' spoken and signed language development in MSD's bilingual (ASL/English) educational approach.
• Occupational & Physical Therapy Occupational and physical therapy services delivered on-site as part of MSD's continuum of student support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive K-12 athletics program offering multiple sports for MSD students across both campuses, with notable competitive success including 5 National Academic Bowl Championships and 92 National Deaf Prep Championships across all sports.
• After School Programs Enrichment activities outside regular school hours for MSD students on both campuses, including student organizations, clubs, and performing arts programs.
• Summer Camps Seasonal summer camp programs offered by MSD, including Camp Invention, Career Expedition Camp, Deaf Film Junior Academy Camp, JCSP Volleyball Camp, National Deaf Girls Basketball Camp, and Youth Orioles Camp, serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students from Maryland and beyond.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 National Academic Bowl Championships
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MSD FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary philanthropic partner providing fundraising support, grants, and resources for student programs and facilities. Listed as Platinum Sponsor for East Regional Academic Bowl.
• Sorenson CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Platinum sponsor for the 2025 East Regional Academic Bowl. Provides video interpreting and communication services.
• MSD Athletic Booster ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Silver sponsor supporting athletic programs and student-athletes.
• Deaf Access SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Silver sponsor supporting accessibility initiatives.
• Frederick Interpreting AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Silver sponsor providing interpreting services for deaf community.
• Gallaudet UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to host East Regional Academic Bowl competition with 15 teams from deaf schools and programs across the region.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2023Awarded $750,000 Semiquincentennial grant for preservation of Hessian Barracks historic site built 1777-1781 during Revolutionary War era. Grant funding stabilization and foundation work.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American School for the Deaf: Founded in 1817, the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the U.S., offering bilingual ASL/English education from early childhood through high school. It is the most direct historical and operational peer to MSD.
• California School for the Deaf, Fremont: California's state-supported K-12 school for deaf and hard of hearing students in Fremont, CA, operating as a public residential day school with a comprehensive bilingual program. Operates under the same state-supported model as MSD.
• California School for the Deaf, Riverside: California's second state-supported K-12 school for deaf and hard of hearing students in Riverside, CA. Provides a directly comparable state-funded residential/day bilingual model.
• Texas School for the Deaf: Texas's state-supported school for deaf and hard of hearing students in Austin, TX, serving birth through age 22. Closely mirrors MSD's model of statewide state appropriations funding and bilingual ASL/English curriculum.
• Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind: St. Augustine, FL-based state-supported school serving both deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired students from birth through grade 12. A directly comparable state-funded residential special education peer.
• Indiana School for the Deaf: Indiana's state-supported school for deaf and hard of hearing students, offering PK-12 education with residential programs. Operates under the same public state-funded residential deaf education model as MSD.
• New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood): Long-established K-12 school for the deaf in White Plains, NY, serving deaf and hard of hearing students with bilingual programming. Comparable in mission, age range served, and residential/specialty model.
• Pennsylvania School for the Deaf: Statewide school for deaf and hard of hearing students in Philadelphia, serving PK-12. Operates as a state-approved private school with a similar specialized deaf education model to MSD.

Broad incumbents

• Gallaudet University: The nation's only university primarily for deaf and hard of hearing students, located in Washington, D.C. While higher education rather than K-12, Gallaudet is a core peer/partner given shared bilingual ASL/English mission, deep leadership and alumni overlap with MSD, and joint academic competition hosting.

Others

• National Association of the Deaf: Civil rights organization for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the U.S. While not an operating school, NAD shapes deaf education policy, accreditation standards, and the Jr. NAD conferences MSD hosts — making it the most relevant ecosystem/thematic peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/msdorioles
• YouTubeyoutube.com/marylandschoolforthedeaforioles
• Facebookfacebook.com/marylandschoolforthedeaf
• Instagraminstagram.com/msdorioles

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maryland School for the Deaf