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Students eligible to attend KDES have a hearing status that results in a need for an educational environment sensitive to diverse educational, cognitive, and social needs that necessitates a continuum of specialized educational and support resources, including non-restrictive access to a visual environment throughout the day.

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KDES applicants must legally reside with a parent or legal guardian in the Washington Metropolitan area.

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Applicants considered for admission to KDES must be between the ages of birth-15. No student at KDES may be age 16. The current grade level and the age of the student at the time of application will be reviewed to ensure the student will not turn 16 before completing the eighth grade.

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An applicant with secondary disabilities will be considered if the student’s primary educational needs are related to deafness.

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In order to consider a student for admission, KDES needs the following documents:

• Completed electronic application form
• Completed electronic release of information form
• Birth certificate (copy)
• Proof of residency (copy of current utility bill)

In the application process, there is an electronic Student Records Request Form that authorizes your child’s school to send records to KDES. Records requested include, but are not limited to:

• • Audiogram/audiological evaluation
  • Current IFSP/IEP
  • Multidisciplinary evaluation performed within the past three years (also called comprehensive, or psychoeducational evaluations at some schools)
  • Re-evaluation/Triennial Review
  • Report card

*A completed physical exam, immunization record, and other medical record forms are due prior to enrollment.

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Our application process is entirely online. To apply, please begin by completing the application form at https://kdes.gallaudet.edu/apply/.

Step 1: Create an account.

Step 2: Complete the Student Records Request Form and submit it to your child’s current school.

If you need support making a records request, please contact the Admissions Office at kdesadmissions@gallaudet.edu.

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KDES accepts applications for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and enrolls ECE students on a rolling basis if there is available space in the age-appropriate class.

KDES accepts applications for students in kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8) until April 1 and enrolls K-8 students no later than May 1 of the current school year if there is space available in the student’s grade level. K-8 applications received after April 1 will be considered for fall enrollment of the next school year.

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Review of a complete application file may result in one of the following:

• The application is accepted. Enrollment will depend on available space.
• The application is denied.
• The parent or legal guardian may be directed to their local educational agency (LEA) so that the LEA may make the referral in order to be available to partner with KDES to provide the accommodations, supports, and services the student needs.

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“Acceptance” means that the student’s application has been reviewed and that the student meets the KDES admissions criteria. It does not mean that the student may begin attending classes. “Enrollment” means that the student has already been accepted; the enrollment date on which the student may begin attending KDES is also provided.

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For reasons such as classroom size and capacity, there may not be an available space for the student at the time of acceptance. Students are enrolled when there is an available space for them.

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D.C. Law 3-20 (revised November 1996) mandates that all students must have certification of immunizations.

There is no charge for tuition. Breakfast and lunch are free. Fees include:

Required:

• Damage or loss (e.g., to bus/school property, classroom materials/furniture, library books, technology)

Optional:

• Activities (e.g., school field trips)
• After School Program
• Events (e.g., dances, KPTA events)
• Sports participation
• Yearbook

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Bus transportation is provided within a 15-mile radius of the U.S. Capitol at no cost (see map). Students residing outside of the 15-mile radius may still receive transportation services at pick-up and drop-off points within the 15-mile radius.

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KDES does not offer before-school care. The earliest a student may arrive at KDES is 8:10 a.m.

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KDES does not provide after-school care. However, for students ages 4 and above, KDES does offer a range of activities through the After School Program (ASP). Please see our After School Program page for more information. 

Students in grades 5-8 can participate in athletics. See our Athletics page for more information. 

Please note that the After School Program and Athletics operate from Monday through Thursday during established activity periods. Neither program runs throughout the school year.

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There is an activity fee for students who participate in the After School Program and/or athletics. There is no additional bus service after ASP and athletics end for the day. Families will need to pick up their children.

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Learning at KDES happens in physical, on-campus classes. KDES students must be on campus in order to attend classes. KDES does not provide an online-only education.

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KDES offers program tours to prospective families interested in our ECE program and for prospective families with children entering grades kindergarten through eight. 

Click to register for a tour. 

Take a virtual tour to get a closer look at our campus: KDES Virtual Tour.