The 47 American Sign Language & English Lower School

The 47 American Sign Language & English Lower School, serving grades PK-8, is distinguished by its unique dual-language approach, integrating American Sign Language and English to create an inclusive environment for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students. The school is known for its small, close-knit community, with a low student-teacher ratio that allows for individualized attention. Parents express overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with nearly 100% favorable responses on many survey questions, highlighting strong family partnerships. The school's mission emphasizes a joyful learning environment, fostering curiosity, empathy, and social awareness through an engaging and rigorous curriculum. While the school's instruction and performance are rated "Fair" by the DOE, and ELA and Math proficiency rates are near the 25th percentile citywide, the school focuses on student progress and offers various programs and support. Student survey results indicate a "Good" safety and school climate, with high favorability for safety agents and feeling safe in common areas. However, students report lower satisfaction with school cleanliness and the frequency of physical fights compared to citywide averages. The school also boasts a beautiful courtyard garden, greenhouse, and playground, used for experiential STEM-based learning. Some parents have expressed concerns about the availability of ASL classes and Deaf role models, suggesting a shift towards a more mainstream environment.