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Boarding Services

The FSDB Boarding Services program provides a homelike environment, free of charge for enrolled Florida students.

Four FSDB students walking down Palm Row
FSDB blind elementary students doing homework in dorm.

Welcome

Boarding staff are teachers, mentors, advisors, and surrogate family members for children who live away from home.  Beginning with the youngest students at age five and continuing to adult students up to age 21, the Boarding Program focuses on teaching life skills essential for successful transition to the adult world of independent living, employment, postsecondary training, and community involvement.

FREE

for Enrolled

Students

75%

Live on Campus

Monday - Friday

89

School Clubs &

Extracurricular Activities

80+

Acre Campus Located

in Historic St. Augustine

975+

Deaf/HH & Blind/VI Children

Served Campus & Statewide

Two Deaf FSDB Elementary girls hugging
FSDB Blind Boy using CCTV in apartment

Boarding Program

The Boarding Program provides FSDB students with a safe and secure home-like residential environment during the school week. The goal of the Program is to provide support for each student’s academic success, along with training on relevant student life topics and instruction focused on the development of independent living skills. Boarding students also have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of recreational and leisure activities after school and during evening hours.

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Residential Halls

& Apartments

Apartment program

The Apartment Program is an Independent Living Learning Center for High School seniors and Continuing Education students from both the Deaf and Blind schools. Between four and six students live in each apartment, which includes bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms.

 

Students prepare breakfast and dinner in the apartments with assistance from staff members. Students often share cooking responsibilities with their apartment mates so that they do not have to cook every day.

  • How many students attend FSDB?
    FSDB serves 975+ students each year through statewide parent-infant/family programs, a Montessori-based Pre-K early learning center and K-12 elementary, middle, and high schools on its campus.
  • What kind of transportation is available for students?
    Students in the Boarding Program receive bus service to and from their hometown on weekends and holidays. Students living in the local area are transported to and from home on a daily basis. Local families also have the option of transporting their children between school and home.
  • What kind of after school activities are available at FSDB?
    FSDB provides diverse extracurricular opportunities for student participation in athletics, clubs and activities, performing arts programs, and recreational activities that take place in state-of-the-art facilities. Students also take part in athletic and academic competitions with public and private schools in Florida and at other deaf and blind schools across the country. Academic and athletic teams at FSDB hold national championship titles and regional awards.
  • What is the average class size at FSDB?
    FSDB maintains small class sizes to allow teachers to meet each student’s specific needs. At the elementary level, the classes average between six to eight students. At the middle school level, the average class size is eight students. At the high school level, the average class size is 10 students.
  • My child has cochlear implants. Can s/he attend FSDB?
    Many students who attend FSDB use hearing aids and cochlear implants to maximize use of residual hearing.
  • What services are available for children from birth to age six?
    Learn more about Parent Services programs, including our Early Learning Center and statewideParent Infant Programs.

Apartments

Apartment Boys
Deaf and Blind Seniors
PH: 904-827-8247

VP: 904-201-4532

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Apartment Girls
Deaf and Blind Seniors
PH: 904-827-2510

VP: 904-201-4550

Contact

For more information about Boarding Services, contact:

​

Kathleen Grunder
Administrator, Boarding Services
PH: 904-827-2603

VP: 904-201-4660

Blind Dorms

Kramer Hall
Boys and Girls Elementary
PH: 904-827-2736

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Cary White Complex
Boys and Girls Middle School
PH: 904-827-2851

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Koger Hall
Girls High School
PH: 904-827-2733

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MacWilliams Hall
Boys High School
PH: 904-827-2725

Deaf Dorms

Vaill Hall
Boys and Girls Elementary

PH: 904-827-2806

VP: 904-201-4461

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Gregg Hall
Girls Middle School
PH: 904-827-2628

VP: 904-201-4506

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McLane Hall
Boys Middle School
PH: 904-827-2624

VP / 904-201-4562

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James Hall
Girls High School
PH: 904-827-2635

VP: 904-201-4485

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Rhyne Hall
Boys High School
PH:904-827-2771

VP: 904-201-4565

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