Central Institute for the Deaf

825 S. Taylor Avenue Saint Louis, MO 63110
cid.edu

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Central Institute for the Deaf Photo #1 - CID audiologists evaluate hearing and fit babies with hearing aids.
Central Institute for the Deaf Photo #2 - A CID parent educator counsels a young family in the Joanne Parrish Knight Family Center.
Central Institute for the Deaf Photo #3 - Small class sizes and teachers with advanced degrees combine to create a high quality, highly individualized listening and spoken language education for every student.
Central Institute for the Deaf Photo #4 - At CID, preschoolers receive a strong foundation in speech, language, literacy and social skills. Best practices from the mainstream combined with research-based learning through play create a foundation for success of our 3- to 5-year-olds.
Central Institute for the Deaf Photo #5 - CID alumni have attended more than 120 universities and have succeeded in fields from architecture, civil service and communications to law and medicine.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

School Rankings

Central Institute for the Deaf ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for:

Category
Attribute
School Resources

School Facts

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-5
Students By Grade
Year Founded
1914
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Last Day of School
Fri. May 21, 2027
School Motto
Listen Talk Read Succeed

Student Body

Total Students
194 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
36%
State avg.: 21%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers
5 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
39:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
99%
Average Class Size
5 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
List of Courses Offered
School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
CID students with hearing loss receive full tuition scholarships.
% on Financial Aid
100%
Admissions Director
Lynda Berkowitz
Application URL
Endowment Size
$50 million

Sports

Colors
blue and orange, pink

School Notes

  • CID is a school where teachers, audiologists and speech-language pathologists use listening and spoken language to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing from birth to age 12 (audiology through age 18).
  • We teach children to listen, talk, read and succeed in their local schools without the use of sign language.
  • Generous support from the St. Louis community makes it possible for children with hearing loss to attend our school tuition-free.
  • CID also provides educational curricula, expert consultation and continuing education opportunities for professionals.
  • all d/hh students attend tuition-free
  • caring, experienced, energetic teachers with advanced degrees
  • pediatric audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • behavior specialist
  • occupational therapy
  • cochlear implant expertise
  • specially constructed facilities for teaching deaf children
  • Washington University affiliated program
  • Missouri First Steps provider for birth-3
  • Illinois Child and Family Connections birth-3
  • dynamic early literacy and literacy programs
  • play-based learning pre-k and kindergarten
  • emphasis on social-emotional and pragmatic skills along with speech, listening, language, reading and academics
  • physical education, art, music and computer
  • dedicated family support services
  • parent support meetings
  • transition assistance
  • special activities
  • before and after school care
  • extended school year program
  • graduate enrichment programs (summer)
  • teen connections camp week (June)
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • T. Alan Hurwitz - Former Director Emeritus of Gallaudet University
    • Heather Whitestone - 1995 Miss America
    • Jeffrey Zuckerman - Acclaimed Literary Translator
    • Paul Taylor - Telecommunications for the Deaf Pioneer
    • I. Lee Brody - Telecommunications for the Deaf Pioneer
    • Alex Wilhite - Contemporary Artist
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are famous alumni from Central Institute for the Deaf?
Central Institute for the Deaf famous alumni include: T. Alan Hurwitz, Heather Whitestone, Jeffrey Zuckerman, Paul Taylor, I. Lee Brody and Alex Wilhite.
Does Central Institute for the Deaf offer a summer program?
Yes, Central Institute for the Deaf offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Central Institute for the Deaf's ranking?
Central Institute for the Deaf ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees and Largest endowments.
When is the application deadline for Central Institute for the Deaf?
The application deadline for Central Institute for the Deaf is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Saint Louis, MO is $17,306 for elementary schools and $21,551 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Saint Louis, MO is 83% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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