Frequently Asked Questions About Admission to MSSD

1. Who is eligible to attend MSSD?
   Students eligible to attend have a hearing status that results in a need for an educational environment sensitive to diverse educational, cognitive, and social needs that necessitates a continuum of specialized educational and support resources, including non-restrictive access to a visual environment throughout the day.

2. Are there any residency requirements?
   MSSD applicants must legally reside with a parent or legal guardian in the United States or its territories.

3. Are there any educational requirements?
   Applicants must have completed eighth grade, or be on track to complete eighth grade, before admission to MSSD. The applicant must not have graduated from a secondary program.
   
4. My child has secondary disabilities. Will this affect admission?
   Applicants with secondary disabilities will be considered if the student's primary educational needs are related to deafness.
   
5. What does MSSD need to consider students for admission?
   In order to consider a student for admission, MSSD needs the following documents:
   1. Completed application form
   2. Completed medical history form, including physical exam and immunization information
   3. Birth certificate
   4. Proof of residency (a utility bill can serve as proof of residency)
      In the application packet is a release form that allows MSSD to request records from the student's current or previous schools. Records we request include, but are not limited to:
      1. Current IEP
      2. Audiogram
      3. Psychoeducational evaluation performed within the past three years (also called multidisciplinary or comprehensive evaluations at some schools)
      4. Transcript if the student is applying for a class other than freshman; report cards if the student is applying for the freshman class
      5. Standardized test results
      6. Copy of latest triennial
         
6. How will MSSD determine grade placement for incoming students?
   Students who are applying for a class other than freshman must provide transcripts showing number and type of high school credits earned. Classes in which the student has earned a grade of D or below will not be accepted for transfer credit.

7. Can students apply for admission any time during the school year?
   Yes, they can. However, actual start dates will correspond to the beginning of each semester to facilitate credit transfer. Exceptions include situations where students' families move into the region and where students are not currently attending any program. Those students may be allowed to start classes at a time other than the beginning of a semester.

8. Can students apply for admission to the senior class at any time during their senior year?
   MSSD considers all applications for admission. However, MSSD generally does not accept transferring seniors more than 10 school days into the new academic year. Each application is considered on an individual basis, and exceptions may be made in extenuating circumstances. All students enrolling as seniors must meet all requirements for graduation.

9. What are the costs involved in attending MSSD?
   There is no charge for tuition or for room and board for residential students. Fees include:
   
   • $60 room/key deposit for dormitory residents, refundable upon departure from MSSD if the student does not lose the key or damage the room
   • Annual $75 activity fee
   • $100 pharmacy deposit for the Student Health Service, the balance of which will be refunded upon departure from MSSD
   Transportation costs are also the responsibility of the student's family.

10. Are dormitory accommodations provided?
    
    • Students living outside of a 12-mile radius of the U.S. Capitol may live in the dormitories during the week.
    • Students living outside of a 50-mile radius may stay in the dormitories during weekends that MSSD remains open.
    • All students must go home during weekends MSSD is closed, approximately once every six weeks.
11. Are immunizations and health insurance required?
    D.C. Law 3-20 (revised November 1996) mandates that all students must have certification of immunizations.
    
    All residential students must have health insurance. Parents and guardians have the option of purchasing school health insurance or using their family's health insurance carrier. Students can use their family's carrier if the insurance:
    • Will not expire during the school year
    • Will not expire due to age restrictions or student status
    • Is valid in the District of Columbia

Medicaid is not accepted in the D.C. area. Only D.C.,  Maryland, or Virginia Medicaid is accepted; Medicaid from other states is not accepted by health care providers in this area, therefore either private insurance or the school insurance must be purchased.

School insurance may be purchased through MSSD's group plan.