We are home to two schools, with day and residential options, for deaf and hard of hearing children from Pre-K to Grade 12+.
Marie Philip School is an 11-month program that enrolls Pre-K to Grade 12+. Day and residential options. Honors and Advanced Placement courses, competitive Athletics, Vocational training courses and intensive classes.
Walden School is a 12-month residential program for students who have often experienced significant adverse childhood events, as well as language deprivation, resulting in mental health challenges, and have treatment needs that have not been successfully addressed in other academic and residential settings. Highly individualized, trauma-informed care and therapy in a structured, supportive, home-like setting.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Top Ranked MA School
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 167 students
- Average class size: 5 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Learning Center For The Deaf ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Advanced Degrees
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1970
Summer School Offered
Yes
Campus Size
14 acres
Student Body
Total Students
167 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
30%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
50 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
5 students
List of Courses Offered
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
Districts are responsible for tuition costs. Tuition reflects MPS Day Program. School districts could receive partial reimbursement for the costs of special education students through the state special education circuit breaker program.
Admissions Director
Mary Jane Huru
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
School Notes
- School Motto: Inspire Knowledge, Opportunity, and Power
- School Mascot: Galloping Ghosts
- About Marie Philip School (MPS): A Pre-K to Grade 12+ school located in Framingham. We are a day school with options for 5- and 7-day residential options. We enroll nearly more than 150 students who are deaf or hard of hearing. MPS was the first program to initiate a bilingual, bicultural model to educate deaf children. Our students are from many counties in Massachusetts, as well as New England communities, including Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
- About Walden School:Walden School, our nationally-recognized residential program enrolls deaf and hard of hearing children and adolescents between the ages of 7 to 22. Walden residential school students face severe social and emotional challenges, and have significant treatment needs that have not been successfully addressed in other academic and residential settings. We have a rolling admissions process and accept students from all over the country, including Texas, California and New York.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Shayna Rose - First Deaf woman - ever - to summit Mount Everest. Shayna has also reached the peak of several other mountains across the world.
- Jeff Mansfield '03 - Accomplished designer and works at the MASS Design Group in Boston, MA. He is a 3 time gold medalist in the Deaf Olympics and also the co-author of The Architecture of Health.
- Kyle Florio '22 - U21 Basketball World Championship Team
- Luke McBride '22 - U21 Basketball World Championship Team
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are famous alumni from The Learning Center For The Deaf?
The Learning Center For The Deaf famous alumni include: Shayna Rose, Jeff Mansfield '03, Kyle Florio '22 and Luke McBride '22.
What sports does The Learning Center For The Deaf offer?
The Learning Center For The Deaf offers 7 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is The Learning Center For The Deaf's ranking?
The Learning Center For The Deaf ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Massachusetts for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for The Learning Center For The Deaf?
The application deadline for The Learning Center For The Deaf is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
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