Founded in 1820, The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is the third oldest school of its kind in the United States.
Since 1984, PSD has been located in the historic Germantown section of Philadelphia and presently serves over 220 students aged birth to 21 in preschool through high school classes.
Also operating on the school's campus is a resource and service center for deaf and hard of hearing adults called the Center for Community and Professional Services.
The Center provides deafness related services to both hearing and deaf people of all ages.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked PA School
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 188 students
- Average class size: 8 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Pennsylvania School For The Deaf ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School History
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Year Founded
1820
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
188 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
79%
State avg.: 27%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
36 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
8 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Sports
Total Sports Offered
5 sports
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports does Pennsylvania School For The Deaf offer?
Pennsylvania School For The Deaf offers 5 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Pennsylvania School For The Deaf's ranking?
Pennsylvania School For The Deaf ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Highest percentage of students of color and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Pennsylvania School For The Deaf?
The application deadline for Pennsylvania School For The Deaf is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Pennsylvania School For The Deaf located?
Pennsylvania School For The Deaf is located in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 16 other private schools located in Northwest Philadelphia.
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school and elementary school to Pennsylvania School For The Deaf is Anthony Wayne Academy (0.2 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Germantown Friends School (0.2 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Anthony Wayne Academy
Alternative School
5538 B Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(267) 297-7782
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(267) 297-7782
0.2 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 124 students
Germantown Friends School ![Germantown Friends School Photo]( "Germantown Friends School Photo")
(Friends)
31 W Coulter Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 1,157 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 74 Tuition listed
20 W. Armat Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 310 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Small World Discovery Center
Daycare / Preschool
5933 Mccallum St
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 843-6949
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 843-6949
0.4 miles
Gr: K | 6 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Anthony Wayne Academy
Alternative School
5538 B Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(267) 297-7782
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(267) 297-7782
0.2 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 124 students
Germantown Friends School ![Germantown Friends School Photo]( "Germantown Friends School Photo")
(Friends)
31 W Coulter Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 1,157 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 74 Tuition listed
3000 W School House Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 844-3460
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 844-3460
1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 947 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 18 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Green Tree School & Services
Special Education School
1196 East Washington Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 866-0200
Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 866-0200
1.6 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 104 students Avg. class size: 7 students Sports: 1 Tuition listed
Mercy Career & Technical High School
Vocational/Technical School (Catholic)
2900 W Hunting Park Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19129
(215) 226-1225
Philadelphia, PA 19129
(215) 226-1225
1.8 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 300 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Anthony Wayne Academy
Alternative School
5538 B Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(267) 297-7782
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(267) 297-7782
0.2 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 124 students
Germantown Friends School ![Germantown Friends School Photo]( "Germantown Friends School Photo")
(Friends)
31 W Coulter Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 1,157 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 74 Tuition listed
20 W. Armat Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 310 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
6000 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 248-1662
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 248-1662
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 204 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Germantown Friends School ![Germantown Friends School Photo]( "Germantown Friends School Photo")
(Friends)
31 W Coulter Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 951-2300
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-12 | 1,157 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 74 Tuition listed
20 W. Armat Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 438-7000
0.2 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 310 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Small World Discovery Center
Daycare / Preschool
5933 Mccallum St
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 843-6949
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 843-6949
0.4 miles
Gr: K | 6 students
6000 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 248-1662
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215) 248-1662
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 204 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Aspira Delaware
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
326 Ruthar Drive
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 292-1463
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 292-1463
9306.8 miles
Gr: K-12 | 1,471 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
First State School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
501 West 14th Street
Wilmington, DE 19899
(302) 320-5848
Wilmington, DE 19899
(302) 320-5848
9306.9 miles
Gr: 1-11 | 21 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Freire Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 West 14th Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 407-4800
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 407-4800
9306.9 miles
Gr: 8-12 | 406 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Great Oaks Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1200 North French St
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 332-6110
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 332-6110
9306.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 149 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Howard High School Of Technology
Vocational School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
401 East 12th Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 571-5400
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 571-5400
9306.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 905 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
School Reviews
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