Jean Massieu School of the Deaf

Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS) was founded in 1999 as a charter school by the local Deaf community in the Salt Lake City area so students could have a truly bilingual education in American Sign Language and English. Several years later JMS merged with the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to align both organizations around the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children throughout Utah. The school remains committed to a fully accessible learning environment where students become proficient in both ASL and English.

JMS serves deaf and hard of hearing students from preschool through post high school as determined by an IEP or 504 team. All grades follow the Utah Core Standards, and teachers combine best teaching practices, access to technology, and culturally supportive learning. Deaf culture, identity, and social development are treated as central rather than optional. Preschool families can choose between an ASL and English bilingual classroom and a Listening and Spoken Language classroom, and staff build each child's schedule around their needs.

Specialty services are determined by the IEP team and can include an ASL specialist, audiology, audiology habilitation, counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech and language pathology, vision services, and transportation. The main campus sits on 3300 South in the historic Libbie Edward school building, with the Openshaw Education Center located directly behind it. Students can also take part in statewide extracurriculars for deaf and hard of hearing students.