Neighborhood school
Start with your district’s deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) team. Ask what communication access and specialist support could look like throughout the day at your local school.
Find Washington DHH programs ↗Family guide · An idea from Amelia
Explore school options.
Start with what helps your child take part in class, connect with friends, and join the activities they care about.
Back to the family guide →Where to start in Washington
TOPS K–8 in Seattle
Amelia’s school hosts Seattle Public Schools’ K–8 DHH program. TOPS describes a dedicated classroom with opportunities to learn and interact with students in other classes. Ask the school what a typical day and communication support could look like for your child.
Explore the TOPS DHH program ↗Washington School for the Deaf
This ASL–English bilingual school in Vancouver serves students from across Washington. Ask admissions about visits, placement, and the day and residential options.
Explore Washington School for the Deaf admissions ↗For Seattle’s high school option and district contacts, see Seattle Public Schools’ DHH program information.
Questions to take on a visit
- What languages and ways to communicate are available during class, lunch, and after-school activities?
- Where can my child meet DHH peers and adults?
- Who helps when my child misses an instruction or a group conversation?
- Can we visit, meet the team, and ask about transportation or the application process?
Invite your child to add a question of their own. They might want to know about art, music, sports, clubs, or how students make friends.
Prepare for a school conversation →Looking ahead
College and other paths after high school
Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., is a university with a bilingual American Sign Language and English campus. Students can explore undergraduate programs, meet Deaf peers, and take part in clubs and campus activities. Gallaudet’s Clerc Center also has separate elementary and high school programs.