Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St. Augustine

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) in St. Augustine, is a state-supported boarding school that was established in 1885. The school was founded by Thomas Hines Coleman, a young deaf man who was preparing to graduate from Gallaudet University, and Governor William D. Bloxham responded favorably to his request to establish a school for deaf and blind children in Florida.

The school started with an initial appropriation of $20,000 and opened in December 1885 as The School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb. It has grown significantly over the years and is now the largest school of its type in the United States, with an annual budget of over $30 million. FSDB currently serves 600 students on campus, offering pre-school through 12th grade education, a post-secondary program, and outreach programs that support parents and teachers in small and rural school districts throughout the state.

The school is accredited by several organizations, including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Conference of Educational Administrators Serving the Deaf. FSDB also offers a variety of resources to students, including a health care center, well-appointed auditoriums, and sound engineering electives for blind high school students. Additionally, the school provides ASL courses to the community for a nominal fee.