Metro Deaf School

What Metro Deaf School does

Metro Deaf School (MDS), founded in 1992 and opened in 1993 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the first Deaf charter school in the United States and the third oldest charter school in Minnesota. It is a free public charter school organized as a nonprofit under Chapter 317A of Minnesota law, authorized by the University of St. Thomas and funded by state and federal government in the same manner as traditional public schools (charters may not levy taxes). The school delivers an ASL/English bilingual curriculum to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing students from birth through age 22, with every student holding an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

MDS operates a unified PreK-12 program with a Birth-3 early intervention program, Early Childhood Education (using Montessori methods at PreK/Kindergarten), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12) tracks, supplemented by Career and Transition Skills (CATS), Transition, PSEO dual enrollment, athletics (Cheetahs), and Extended School Year summer programming. The school's core methodology centers on bilingual ASL/English instruction with a 1:3 staff-to-student ratio in elementary, an average class size of 7, and a Deaf Studies curriculum. Student support includes ASL specialists, mental health, occupational/physical therapy, and speech-language pathology. Faculty and staff represent 133+ individuals, of whom 74% are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and 100% use American Sign Language.

The institution serves 178–181 students drawn from 45+ school districts across the Twin Cities 7-county metro and western Wisconsin, with transportation provided by home districts for St. Paul and Minneapolis residents. GTM is direct-to-consumer via district IEP team placement, family-initiated enrollment, virtual and in-person tours, and community outreach through Family and Community ASL classes and Parent-Teacher Group events. Revenue streams are government funding supplemented by donations (e.g., GiveButter for the fieldhouse project), facilities rental, and community ASL class fees; ancillary programs and the affiliated nonprofit 1 House 2 Hands Inc. support facilities and capital projects beyond core operating dollars.

Name

Metro Deaf School

Legal name

Metro Deaf School

Website

https://mdsmn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metro Deaf School is a free public charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, delivering an ASL/English bilingual education to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing students from birth through age 22, funded by state and federal government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF), Charter Language Immersion & Bilingual Schools (EDAJACAI), Bilingual/Language-Immersion Preschools (EDACABAH), Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM), English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)

Keywords

• Deaf education services
• Bilingual ASL English instruction
• Public charter school
• Special needs education
• Early intervention programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. State and Federal Government Funding: As a public charter school, MDS receives funding from the state and federal government the same as any public school district. Funded by the State of Minnesota in the same manner traditional public schools are funded, except for revenues generated by local property tax levies. Charter schools may not levy taxes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metro Deaf School operates a free public charter school delivering an ASL/English bilingual, interdisciplinary curriculum for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing students from birth through age 21. Instruction is conducted in American Sign Language with English taught through print, supported by 100% ASL-fluent staff, of which 74% are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, in small classes averaging 7 students. The school offers comprehensive PreK-12 academic programs plus early intervention, transition, dual enrollment, and student support services.

Product overview

Metro Deaf School is a unified educational institution offering a comprehensive PreK-12 ASL/English bilingual program for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students. The school operates as a birth-12th grade charter school with integrated programs including the Birth-3 early intervention program, Early Childhood Education (EC3/EC4), Elementary (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12) with specialized tracks like PSEO dual enrollment, Transition, and CATS (Career and Transition Skills Program). Supporting services include athletics (Cheetahs sports), Extended School Year summer programming, Student Life activities, and Family/Community ASL classes. The school also provides comprehensive student support services through ASL specialists, mental health professionals, occupational/physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Birth-3 Program Early intervention program for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children from birth to 35 months, offering parent/child group sessions and center-based classroom instruction in American Sign Language.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program Comprehensive early childhood program for deaf and hard of hearing children from birth through pre-kindergarten with three levels: Birth to 3, EC3, and EC4, using bilingual ASL/English methodologies and a Montessori approach.
• Elementary Program (K-5) Elementary school program serving grades K-5 with approximately one classroom per grade level, average class size of 6 students, 1:3 staff-to-student ratio, and curriculum delivered in ASL with bilingual methodologies.
• Middle School Program (6-8) Middle school program for grades 6-8 with a seven-period rotation covering reading, writing, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, and electives including art, technology, cooking, and STEAM.
• High School Program (9-12) High school program for grades 9-12 with classes of 4-10 students; students must earn 21.5 credits to graduate, including a seven-period day with advisory and twice-monthly transition skills focus.
• Transition Program High school transition curriculum focusing on post-secondary education, employment, and independent living skills including career exploration, community skills, ACT prep, college readiness, money management, and driver's education.
• Career and Transition Skills Program (CATS) Career and transition skills program focused on work experience, independent living skills, community money management, and employment preparation, collaborating with Family Tree Clinic, Career Ventures Inc, and Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Dual enrollment program allowing 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously through college-level courses at participating postsecondary institutions including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
• Student Support Services Comprehensive support services including ASL Department, DeafBlind services, Mental Health team (social workers, counselor, psychologist), Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology services.
• Cheetahs Elementary Sports Elementary athletics program offering soccer, flag football, girls basketball, boys basketball, softball, and futsal for students in grades 1-5.
• Cheetahs Middle School Sports Middle school athletics program featuring coed soccer, cheerleading, girls volleyball, track and field, and softball.
• Cheetahs High School Sports High school athletics program offering girls and boys cross country, soccer, girls volleyball, and cheerleading; teams compete in MSHSL and travel out of state for tournaments.
• Extended School Year (ESY) Program Summer learning program providing academic, social, and linguistic support for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students; runs 8:30-1:00 Monday-Friday for two weeks for ages 3+ and 9:00-11:30 for birth-3 years.
• Family ASL Classes ASL language classes offered in fall and spring for family members of Metro Deaf School students at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels; classes are free for MDS families and held Tuesday or Wednesday evenings.
• Community ASL Classes ASL classes open to the community at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels; cost is $85 per session (8 weeks) with free attendance for MDS families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bilingual education leads to higher literacy levels
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of St. Thomas (UST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of St. Thomas serves as Metro Deaf School's authorizer, approved through the Minnesota Department of Education. UST currently serves as authorizer for 12 charter schools across Minnesota. MDS reports quarterly to UST on specific areas outlined in a reporting document. Renewal of charter contract (every 3-5 years) is dependent on overall performance and meeting of goals.
• 1 House 2 Hands InccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit building company dedicated to securing and maintaining property that meets the needs of Metro Deaf School. MDS leases the 1125 Energy Park Drive facility from 1H2H. The organization handles finances for building projects for MDS.
• Career Ventures IncminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCATS Program collaborator that works with outside agencies to develop work experiences for students to develop employment skills.
• Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates with CATS Program to develop work experiences and employment skills for students.
• Minnesota Employment CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates with CATS Program to develop work experiences and employment skills for students.
• Family Tree ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with CATS Program to provide Health (physical and mental) class discussions covering relationships, coping skills, health advocacy, and other resources.
• CKC Good FoodminorOthersFood service provider for Metro Deaf School, supplying nutritious breakfast and lunch meals to students.
• Minnesota State Colleges and UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating institution for PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) program allowing high school students to earn college credit.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American School for the Deaf: Founded in 1817 and located in West Hartford, Connecticut, ASD is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the U.S. It serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing students across a wide age range and shares MDS's mission of ASL-immersive Deaf education.
• California School for the Deaf, Fremont: A state-funded school serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from birth through age 22 with ASL/English bilingual education. Operates on a comparable continuum of programs (early intervention through high school) and shares MDS's commitment to a fully accessible ASL environment.
• Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind: A state-supported school in St. Augustine serving Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Blind/Visually Impaired students from birth through grade 12. Comparable in operating a full birth-22 educational continuum with specialized instructional and support services.
• Learning Center for the Deaf: A Massachusetts-based program serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with ASL/English bilingual education across multiple sites, including a residential school and family infant-toddler services. Highly comparable in serving a similar demographic through a continuum of programs.
• Rocky Mountain Deaf School: A public charter school in Denver, Colorado serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with a bilingual ASL/English approach. Operates with a similar public-charter funding model and student demographic, making it the closest structural peer to Metro Deaf School.
• Maryland School for the Deaf: A state school with campuses in Frederick and Columbia serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from birth through age 21. Comparable in operating a full birth-21 pipeline, ASL-immersive instruction, and related student support services.
• Texas School for the Deaf: A state school in Austin serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from early childhood through age 22 with comprehensive ASL/English programming. Closely comparable in age range served, residential/day offerings, and breadth of student support services.
• Indiana School for the Deaf: A state residential and day school in Indianapolis serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from early childhood through high school. Comparable in serving a similar demographic across a full grade-band continuum with ASL-based instruction.
• Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD): A federally-funded demonstration school on the Gallaudet University campus serving Deaf high school students from across the U.S. Highly comparable in mission (ASL-immersive education for Deaf students) and in operating programs that prepare students for post-secondary transition.

Regional players

• Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf: The Minnesota state residential school for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, located in Faribault. Operates in the same state as MDS and serves a substantially overlapping demographic, but is a state-run residential institution rather than a charter school, making it a regional rather than direct peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/metrodeafschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrodeafschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Metro Deaf School