High School News

High School students in grades 9–12 will take the Fall 2024 NWEA MAP Growth Tests next week on September 9–11, with make-up testing available through September 19. This assessment helps teachers understand each student’s progress in reading, math, and language usage, does not affect grades, and students should prepare by ensuring their device is ready, practicing online, getting enough rest, and eating a good breakfast.

The Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) is excited to announce the upcoming season of its Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Bowling Team! Students are encouraged to sign up, practice with teammates, and compete in this fun and supportive athletic event.

Mark your calendars! Texas School for the Deaf will be hosting Senior Fest 2025 on Friday, September 26, from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM at the Deaf Smith Center (DSC).

TSD invites students to join the 2025 Special Olympics Pickleball Team with practices starting August 25 and a final competition on October 17 at Austin Pickle Ranch.

TSD is excited to launch a new mobile app to keep families and staff connected, informed, and engaged wherever they go. Download it today to access school updates, calendars, and resources with just a tap.

The Texas School for the Deaf Athletics Department has launched a page with all the details for this year’s Homecoming Showdown Fest.

The TSD Booster Club is excited to announce we are hiring Concession Stand Assistants for the 2025–2026 school year.

Texas School for the Deaf–High School welcomes families to the new school year and reminds parents of the importance of regular, on-time attendance, as required by Texas’ 90% attendance and truancy laws. The letter outlines excused and unexcused absences, tardy policies, potential consequences, and steps families can take to ensure students meet attendance requirements for academic success.

The Texas School for the Deaf will host its Homecoming Booth Festival on October 4, 2025, with early booth registration due by September 5 and final registration by September 19. Booth fees range from $30–$40 for TSD booths and $100–$125 for non-TSD booths, with registration details available via QR code, email, phone, or the event website.

TSD’s high school has two Tier 2 Counselors who provide check-ins, small groups, and short-term support for students needing help with social and emotional needs. See the attached flyer for more information and how to contact us.

All students in grades 9–12 at TSD participate in our iPad Program, supporting interactive, tech-based learning in every classroom. Each student receives an iPad, charger, and case—valued at approximately $450—for use during their enrollment. Families must review and sign the iPad Agreement Form and pay a $50 annual insurance fee (non-refundable) to cover accidental damage and theft. Students who had iPads last year must ensure missing items (e.g., charger or case lid) are replaced before school begins. iPads can be taken home once expectations have been reviewed and insurance is paid. Contact [email protected] with questions.

We’re excited to launch a new bell schedule for our High School students this year as part of the Secondary Program alignment. Our bell schedule will follow a consistent structure, featuring 45-minute instructional periods, designed to support focused learning, smooth transitions, and balanced pacing throughout the day. We will "double block or triple block" specific periods together to create more extended learning periods for classes that require lab or hands-on learning, which helps support our students' transition into their career fields within the academies they are in.

This updated schedule enables greater consistency across courses and fosters a structured, student-centered learning environment.

As part of our unified Secondary Program, students in grades 9–12 will follow a consistent grading calendar that includes two progress reports and one final report card each quarter. These checkpoints are designed to keep students, families, and teachers informed and aligned on academic progress throughout the year.

We encourage families to regularly check PowerSchool, review grading updates with their student, and reach out to teachers with any questions. Staying engaged with each grading period is a key part of supporting academic success!

As summer break approaches, students will be spending more time at home, making it crucial for caregivers to effectively communicate and keep their Deaf child included in social conversations.

As summer break approaches, it’s important for high school students to plan ahead to maintain their learning momentum. The “summer slide” is the tendency for students to lose some of the academic progress made during the school year.

The good news is that most of the planning is complete! Please find the link below with the itinerary and all the key information you’ll need starting tomorrow on Tuesday and moving forward.

The TSD Health Center will be closing for the summer on Thursday, May 29, at 6 PM. Please be aware that student medications cannot remain at TSD during the summer break.