Ohio School for the Deaf
Ohio School for the Deaf is a state-funded K-12 institution serving approximately 150 deaf and hard of hearing students across Ohio through day and residential programs on its Columbus campus. Operated under the Ohio Department of Education since 1829, it delivers bilingual ASL/English instruction and statewide outreach services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1829
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ohio School for the Deaf does
The Ohio School for the Deaf (OSD) is a state-funded educational institution founded in 1829 and operated under the Ohio Department of Education as part of Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services (ODBES). Located on a 235-acre campus in Columbus, Ohio (shared with the Ohio State School for the Blind), OSD serves approximately 150 deaf and hard of hearing students across all 88 Ohio counties, providing day and residential programs from Early Learning Center (ages 6 weeks through prekindergarten) through high school and extending to age 22 through its 4Plus Transition Program. Roughly half of enrolled students live on campus in dormitories during the week, gaining 24-hour American Sign Language (ASL) immersion within a bilingual/bi-cultural instructional philosophy that values ASL and English equally. Instruction is delivered by credentialed Teachers of the Deaf using ASL as the primary language of instruction, supported by specialized programs including DeafBlind Education Services, the ProStart-based Culinary Arts program, social-emotional support via the Care and Support Team (CAST), and statewide outreach to Ohio school districts. The school's core technology stack includes an Apple 1:1 device initiative (deployed Spring 2020), NWEA MAP Growth assessments, Follett Destiny library systems, and interactive video distance learning, with IT leadership established since 1998.
OSD's business model is entirely state-funded: educational and residential services are provided at no charge to families, with home school districts covering only ancillary costs such as transportation. The enrollment process is a district-of-service model in which a student's home district formally requests placement at OSD, followed by a cooperative enrollment agreement and IEP amendment meeting. Revenue therefore derives from a single source (State of Ohio appropriations through ODBES), and the institution has no pricing tier, no tuition, and no out-of-state commercial enrollment. Its customer base consists of Ohio's 88 counties' school districts and the families of deaf and hard of hearing students, with go-to-market executed through direct district outreach, statewide services, and partnerships with Columbus State Community College, Delaware Area Career Center, Whetstone High School, and (as of March 2023) BridgED for corporate engagement. Notable recent recognitions include national accreditation in 2026, consecutive wins at the Deaf School Culinary Arts National Competition, and the 2021 Ohio Teacher of the Year award to then-elementary teacher Anthony Coy-Gonzalez (now Principal).
Ohio School for the Deaf firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ohio School for the Deaf
- Legal name
- Ohio School for the Deaf
- Website
- https://osd.ohio.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1829
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ohio School for the Deaf is a state-funded K-12 institution serving approximately 150 deaf and hard of hearing students across Ohio through day and residential programs on its Columbus campus. Operated under the Ohio Department of Education since 1829, it delivers bilingual ASL/English instruction and statewide outreach services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ohio School for the Deaf industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Education Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- 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), Bilingual & Language-Immersion Early Learning Academies (EDACADAG), Heritage Language & Bilingual Maintenance Programs (EDAMAFAI)
Keywords
Where Ohio School for the Deaf is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ohio School for the Deaf business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- State-Funded Education Services: As a state of Ohio institution, OSD receives government funding to provide educational services. There is no charge for the educational and residential parts at OSD. The potential cost to a district involved in sending a student to OSD is for related/support services that OSD does not provide (e.g., weekly/daily transportation to/from OSD, 1:1 aide as needed).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free education and residential services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Ohio School for the Deaf product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ohio School for the Deaf is a state-operated residential school that provides free PreK-12 educational and residential services to approximately 150 deaf and hard of hearing students from across Ohio, using American Sign Language as the primary language of instruction under a bilingual/bi-cultural philosophy. It also delivers specialized programs including a 4Plus Transition Program (ages up to 22), Culinary Arts career technical education, DeafBlind Education Services, Early Learning Center, and statewide outreach and consultation services to Ohio's 88 counties.
Product overview
Ohio School for the Deaf is a state educational institution providing comprehensive educational services to approximately 150 deaf and hard of hearing students in Ohio. The school's product portfolio consists of educational programs organized by age/grade level (Early Learning Center, Elementary, Middle School, High School), specialized programs (DeafBlind Education Services, 4Plus Transition Program, Culinary Arts), and support services (CAST social-emotional support, Library Services, Summer Camps, and Student Life/Residential programs). Instruction is delivered primarily through American Sign Language with a bilingual/bi-cultural philosophy supporting both ASL and English. The institution operates under Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services (ODBES) and also provides statewide outreach services to districts and families across Ohio's 88 counties.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Elementary School Grades K-5 program for deaf and hard of hearing students with an additional classroom for students with multiple disabilities; curriculum covers English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and daily ASL instruction.
- Middle School Grades 6-8 program with elective classes in art, ASL, video technology, and physical education rotating on a nine-week basis; includes a self-contained classroom for students with multiple disabilities.
- High School Grades 9-12 program requiring 25 credits for graduation, with options for dual diplomas with home school districts; students can earn college credit through Columbus State Community College's Post Secondary Education Options program.
- Early Learning Center (ELC) Preschool program serving children ages 6 weeks through prekindergarten with hearing loss, and children ages 3 years through prekindergarten with visual impairments; follows a child-centered approach with individualized instruction supporting developmental and communication needs.
- 4Plus Transition Program Realistic Transition Program for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Ohio, providing workforce readiness skills and independent living support; students may stay enrolled until the day before their 22nd birthday.
- Culinary Arts Program Two-year program following the ProStart nationally recognized curriculum; students earn industry certifications including ServSafe and can compete on national culinary teams (e.g., 2026 Deaf Culinary Bowl host and winner).
- DeafBlind Education Services Individualized, team-based services for students with DeafBlindness focusing on access, communication, independence, and meaningful engagement in learning; delivered in partnership with the Ohio State School for the Blind on the shared Columbus campus.
- Student Life / Residential Program On-campus residential program offering housing and support services, 24-hour ASL immersion, independent living skills training, and extracurricular activities including clubs and athletics.
- Summer Camps Summer camp programs for deaf and hard of hearing students of all age ranges, providing recreational and educational activities during summer months.
- Assessments Comprehensive assessment program including Ohio's State Tests (OST), End of Course exams, ACT, NWEA MAP Growth, Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, and Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment.
- Care and Support Team (CAST) Social-emotional support services addressing emotional and behavioral needs of students and families, including academic support, career planning, and parent-to-parent support services.
- Library Services School library serving students from preschool to age 22, also functioning as a center on deafness for information about deafness, deaf education, sign language, and deaf culture; materials available via Follett Destiny catalog.
Quantifiable outcome
- OSD's 2024-25 Culinary Team placed 1st in the Deaf School Culinary Arts National Competition
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ohio School for the Deaf
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ohio School for the Deaf technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ohio School for the Deaf partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BridgEDcoreBridgED partnership to bridge the gap between the business community and schools. The partnership infuses corporate partnerships to drive awareness, understanding, and access for students, parents, and teachers. BridgED connects businesses interested in partnering with OSD and OSSB students, builds a Business Advisory Council, and manages corporate partnership relationships on behalf of the schools. Services include teacher externships, work-based learning, parent communication, career days, and classroom engagement. Initial term is 18 months.
- BrightFarmsminorBrightFarms, a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farm in Wilmington, Ohio, partnered with OSD's 4Plus program. Students visited BrightFarms facilities to learn about CEA on a large scale, including how water gets nutrients and the chemistry of growing. BrightFarms expressed interest in sending their R&D team to OSD's campus to provide feedback on the CEA environment setup and explore options to help students continue learning about CEA.
- Whetstone High SchoolminorPartnership allowing OSD students to attend Whetstone High School to continue earning high school credits in a mainstream setting with support from OSD teachers and staff. Earned credits are incorporated into the student's final transcript from OSD.
- Delaware Area Career Center (DACC)minorPartnership allowing OSD students to attend Delaware Area Career Center if they meet qualifications. Students earn credits incorporated into their final transcript from OSD and receive a credential when completing their selected program.
- Columbus State Community CollegeminorThrough the Post Secondary Education Options program, students who want to go to college after graduation can earn college credit while still in high school. Coursework completed through CSCC is incorporated into the student's final transcript from OSD.
- Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB)coreOSD shares its 235-acre campus with OSSB. Students are partnered with OSSB for services such as DeafBlind education where students are placed within one of the schools and fully integrated into their school with their deaf peers. CAST teams collaborate across both schools.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ohio School for the Deaf competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- California School for the Deaf, Fremont: California's northern state residential school for deaf students with ASL bilingual education and statewide outreach. Comparable in mission, ASL-bilingual philosophy, and statewide service mandate.
- American School for the Deaf: The oldest permanent school for the deaf in the United States (founded 1817), operating a bilingual ASL/English model with day and residential programs in Connecticut. Directly comparable in mission, historical longevity, and residential deaf education model to OSD.
- Texas School for the Deaf: Texas's state-supported residential school for deaf students, one of the largest in the US. Directly comparable in mission, but operates at materially larger scale than OSD, making it a relevant benchmark for growth potential.
- Pennsylvania School for the Deaf: Statewide comprehensive day and residential school for deaf and hard of hearing children in Philadelphia, serving PreK-12 with ASL-based instruction. Comparable in residential and bilingual delivery model to OSD.
- Illinois School for the Deaf: State-supported residential school for deaf students in Jacksonville, Illinois, providing PreK-12 education and outreach services. Directly comparable in residential K-12 deaf education delivery model and statewide mandate.
- Kentucky School for the Deaf: Kentucky's state-supported K-12 residential school for deaf students with ASL/English bilingual instruction. Directly comparable as a state-operated deaf school serving a similar student population.
- Michigan School for the Deaf: Michigan's state residential school for deaf and hard of hearing students, offering ASL-centered instruction and statewide services. Comparable as a Great Lakes region state deaf school with similar enrollment scale and residential model.
- Indiana School for the Deaf: Indiana's state-supported K-12 residential school for deaf and hard of hearing students, offering ASL-based instruction and statewide outreach. Structurally and operationally analogous to OSD as a neighboring Midwestern state school for the deaf.
Broad incumbents
- Gallaudet University: The nation's premier university for deaf and hard of hearing students, offering postsecondary degrees and serving as a national resource center. Comparable as a broader Deaf-education institution, but at the higher-education level rather than K-12.
Others
- Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB): Sister institution sharing the 235-acre Columbus campus and ODBES oversight; provides K-12 education for blind/visually impaired students and partners with OSD on DeafBlind services. Highly relevant as co-located peer under the same state agency.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ohio School for the Deaf social profiles
Digital presenceOhio School for the Deaf financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ohio School for the Deaf leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Ohio School for the Deaf funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ohio School for the Deaf M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ohio School for the Deaf
What does Ohio School for the Deaf do?
Ohio School for the Deaf is a state-operated residential school that provides free PreK-12 educational and residential services to approximately 150 deaf and hard of hearing students from across Ohio, using American Sign Language as the primary language of instruction under a bilingual/bi-cultural philosophy. It also delivers specialized programs including a 4Plus Transition Program (ages up to 22), Culinary Arts career technical education, DeafBlind Education Services, Early Learning Center, and statewide outreach and consultation services to Ohio's 88 counties.
Is Ohio School for the Deaf a public or private company?
Ohio School for the Deaf is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ohio School for the Deaf founded?
Ohio School for the Deaf was founded in 1829. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ohio School for the Deaf based?
Ohio School for the Deaf is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ohio School for the Deaf make money?
One revenue line is on record: state-Funded Education Services.
Who are Ohio School for the Deaf's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are California School for the Deaf, Fremont, American School for the Deaf, Texas School for the Deaf, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Illinois School for the Deaf, Kentucky School for the Deaf, Michigan School for the Deaf and Indiana School for the Deaf. Gallaudet University is listed as a broad incumbent. Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB) is listed as an others.
Does Ohio School for the Deaf have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ohio School for the Deaf.
What industry is Ohio School for the Deaf in?
Ohio School for the Deaf's product category is Special Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAKAI, Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility), with a secondary code of EDAJAAAH, Public Special Education Schools & Programs. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.