We empower Students
Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) offers an academically rigorous and engaging program that empowers students to become self-directed, independent, and resourceful learners. We serve children from birth through grade 8, fostering growth across all areas of development.
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Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) provides an academically rigorous and engaging program that empowers students to become self-directed, independent, and resourceful learners. Serving children from birth through grade 8, our approach supports the whole child—fostering growth across academic, social, emotional, and communication domains.
Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) program fosters early language acquisition through a bilingual ASL and English environment. We support deaf and hard of hearing children by creating rich language experiences through play, exploration, and family partnership. Using the Teaching Strategies GOLD curriculum, we provide developmentally appropriate learning and monitor each child’s growth through ongoing observation and digital portfolios.
From kindergarten through eighth grade, students engage in hands-on, individualized instruction guided by IEPs and aligned with Common Core State Standards. They are encouraged to explore, collaborate, and think critically—building knowledge through inquiry and experience. Field trips and special off-campus activities enhance classroom learning by connecting it to the rich educational and cultural resources of the Washington, D.C. area.
Academic Program Outcomes
At Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), our comprehensive, research-based curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Academic Foundations & Enrichment
KDES provides a well-rounded academic experience that includes:
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
In addition, students benefit from enrichment programs in:
- American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
- Visual Arts and Performing Arts
- Technology and Innovation
- Health and Physical Education
Teaching & Learning Approach
Our curriculum emphasizes:
- Hands-on, inquiry-based learning
- Project-based instruction
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Creative exploration and innovation
These strategies empower students to design solutions, explore ideas, and develop as confident, adaptive learners prepared for the challenges of the modern world.
Assessment & Progress Monitoring
KDES uses both formative and summative assessments, including ASL-based assessments, to track each student’s growth. Data is used to individualize instruction and provide timely interventions that support student success across all content areas.
Our Vision
At KDES, we are dedicated to cultivating lifelong learners who are:
- Bilingual communicators
- Curious and creative thinkers
- Collaborative and confident problem-solvers
- Prepared to contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond
We believe in nurturing the whole child through a curriculum that is inclusive, innovative, and inspiring.
Excellence in Deaf Education
Early Childhood Education Program
The Early Childhood Education program serves children with varying hearing levels as well as children who are deaf or hard of hearing with additional disabilities. The program utilizes the Teaching Strategies Gold curriculum and its online assessment tool and portfolio. The staff monitors the development of both ASL and English using the Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) assessment tool as well as tools for spoken English.
Elementary Program
The KDES Elementary Department serves students from Kindergarten through 5th grade in a bilingual learning environment where American Sign Language (ASL) and English are integrated into all aspects of instruction.
- Personalized, targeted instruction
- Ongoing skill assessments
- Use of both ASL and English tools to support language development
- A variety of mathematics assessment strategies
Middle School Program
The KDES Middle School Department consists of students in 6th to 8th grade. Students are placed in flexible grouping classes for all core classes (math, bilingual language arts, science, and social studies) in which students may have classes with peers in different grade levels. This allows teachers to differentiate instruction, ensure targeted support, and provide more personalized learning opportunities. As they progress through middle school, students develop skills and experiences that ease their transition to high school’s academic and social demands.
Curriculum Enrichment & Physical Education
At KDES, we are committed to supporting the academic, social, and personal development of every student. Our Curriculum Enrichment (CE) program and Physical Education offerings are designed to provide K–8 students with meaningful learning experiences that go beyond the core classroom.
All students from Kindergarten through 8th grade participate in CE classes as part of their regular school schedule.
Early Childhood Learning
Students in our Early Childhood Education programs engage in hands-on, play-based learning experiences designed to foster early language acquisition and holistic development. Rooted in a bilingual ASL and English environment, our approach supports each child’s growth while empowering families with resources and strategies that align with developmental milestones.
Our curriculum is guided by standards that promote key learning goals across multiple domains—including language, cognition, social-emotional development, and physical skills.
Academic Standards
At Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), we provide a bilingual, learner-centered, and technology-driven curriculum designed to meet the diverse needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. While we follow the mandates of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), our instruction goes beyond compliance—we foster a dynamic and rigorous learning environment that supports students in developing both academic excellence and linguistic fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
Our core curriculum is aligned with multiple nationally and state-recognized academic standards across all content areas:
These standards define clear, high expectations for what students should know and be able to do from Kindergarten through 12th grade in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Key focus areas include:
- Reading literature and informational texts
- Writing and language conventions
- Algebra, geometry, modeling, and data analysis
- Cross-disciplinary comprehension in science, technology, social studies, and the arts
These standards aim to build critical literacy and numeracy skills that prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong learning.
Recognizing ASL as the first language for many of our students, KDES follows the Clerc Center’s K–12 ASL Standards to promote high levels of ASL proficiency.
Students develop:
- Expressive and receptive ASL skills
- The ability to analyze ASL at multiple linguistic levels
- Competency in producing and analyzing ASL texts
- Conceptual understanding and critical thinking through visual language
Many of the anchor standards align with Maryland’s English Language Arts standards, promoting bilingual literacy development across content areas.
Our science curriculum is based on the NGSS, which emphasize learning science by doing science through three-dimensional learning:
- Science and Engineering Practices
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- Crosscutting Concepts
Instruction integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) principles, encouraging hands-on exploration and innovation.
These standards develop students into informed and engaged citizens through instruction in:
- History (U.S., world, and Maryland)
- Geography and human-environment interaction
- Civics and government
- Economics and financial literacy
- Culture and global perspectives
Students learn to evaluate sources, consider diverse viewpoints, and communicate effectively, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how social studies concepts connect to real-world issues.
By integrating enrichment classes and physical education into the student experience, KDES ensures that every child receives a comprehensive, engaging, and future-ready education. These programs foster creativity, critical thinking, self-awareness, and wellness—preparing students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Curricular Enrichment & Physical Education Standards
At Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), students benefit from a well-rounded educational experience that includes comprehensive curricular enrichment and physical education aligned with Maryland State Standards.
These programs support students’ academic, physical, and personal growth, offering engaging and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that extend beyond the core classroom experience.
Health Education
Aligned with the Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework, this course helps students:
- Analyze how family, peers, media, and technology influence health choices
- Access reliable information and health services
- Build skills in personal advocacy for wellness and disease prevention
Key content areas include:
- Mental and emotional health
- Healthy eating
- Substance abuse prevention
- Family life and human sexuality
- Safety and violence prevention
Financial Literacy
Guided by the Maryland State Standards for Personal Financial Literacy Education, this course equips students with lifelong financial skills, including:
- Understanding personal budgeting and saving
- Making informed economic decisions
- Recognizing the importance of financial responsibility in everyday life
This program lays the foundation for long-term financial well-being and promotes economic understanding across disciplines and grade levels.
Visual Arts
Based on the Maryland Visual Arts State Standards, the art program at KDES fosters:
- Creative expression and design skills
- Understanding of cultural and historical influences on art
- Use of various media and techniques including drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital art
- Visual communication, observation, and reflection
Students are encouraged to explore their artistic identity while developing 21st-century skills like collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.
Physical Education
The Maryland Physical Education Framework guides our PE curriculum, emphasizing:
- Physical fitness and motor development
- Teamwork and cooperative play
- Knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices
- Positive attitudes toward lifelong physical activity
Students engage in fun, structured physical activities that build confidence, coordination, and social-emotional awareness.
ASL and Deaf Studies Integration
The K-12 ASL Content Standards, aligned with National Standards for ASL, shape our ASL and Deaf Studies enrichment program. This curriculum supports:
- Developmentally appropriate ASL communication skills
- Cultural understanding of the Deaf community
- Critical thinking through ASL analysis and expression
The course progresses across grade levels, providing students with a cohesive bilingual foundation and enriching their connection to Deaf identity and culture.
Through the integration of these standards and a strong commitment to bilingual education, KDES equips students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to thrive academically and socially—and to confidently navigate an ever-evolving global society.
Academic Curriculum at KDES
At Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES), we are committed to delivering a rigorous, evidence-based curriculum that supports each student’s academic and personal development. Our curriculum is reviewed and updated every five years by a team of educators, specialists, and administrators. This cyclical review process incorporates feedback from families and community stakeholders to ensure that all materials are:
- Developmentally appropriate
- Culturally and linguistically inclusive
- Aligned with current educational best practices
Our goal is to provide an innovative, student-centered learning experience that prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Current Curriculum Selections
- English Language Arts: American Reading Company (ARC) – Selected in 2023
- Science: Full Option Science System (FOSS) – Originally selected in 2012; renewed in 2022
- Mathematics: Go Math – Selected in 2014; renewed in 2019
- Social Studies: myWorld Interactive – Selected in 2024
- Early Childhood Education: Creative Curriculum
Each curriculum is implemented with a bilingual approach, integrating American Sign Language (ASL) and English to support language development and academic success.
- Email: KDESacademics@gallaudet.edu
- 202-250-2761 (Videophone)
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at KDES
At KDES, we believe that social-emotional learning is fundamental to student success—academically, socially, and emotionally. Our SEL curriculum equips students with lifelong tools to:
This learning is especially important during the elementary and middle school years, when students are developing their sense of identity and navigating increasingly complex social environments.
SEL Curriculum: Second Step
KDES uses the Second Step program, a research-based curriculum designed to support students in:
Through weekly lessons, collaborative activities, and modeling, students develop the confidence and emotional intelligence to navigate everyday challenges and build a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.