Rochester School for the Deaf
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSION: ROCHESTER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (RSD) PROVIDES EXEMPLARY OPPORTUNITIES IN A BILINGUAL ENVIRONMENT TO MEET STUDENTS' UNIQUE LEARNING. TOGETHER, AS A COMMUNITY, RSD CHALLENGES AND PREPARES STUDENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVER-CHANGING WORLD BY: - CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPOWERS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, ENABLES COMMUNICATION, AND ENRICHES SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT; - USING BOTH PROVEN AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING ALONG WITH CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES; AND - NURTURING STUDENTS IN MIND, BODY, AND SPIRITEDNESS CULMINATING IN SELF-AWARENESS, CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PRIDE.
- Income
- $15.7 million
- Spending
- $14.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 5.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 80%
- Employees
- 202
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $269,574, superintendent/ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $10.1 million spent. EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES - ROCHESTER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (RSD) PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN NEWBORN TO AGE 22, THROUGH FUNDING FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (NYSED). THESE PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON THE UNIQUE LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF EACH CHILD APPOINTED TO THE SCHOOL BY THE NYSED. AT THE END OF THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, RSD SERVED 136 STUDENTS FROM 33 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 12 COUNTIES. CHILDREN WERE ENROLLED IN DEAF INFANT, PRE-KINDERGARTEN, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS (NEW YORK STATE REGISTERED PROGRAMS AWARDING REGENTS AND HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND OCCUPATIONAL STUDIES COMMENCEMENT CREDENTIALS, AND SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENT COMMENCEMENT CREDENTIALS). ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR INCLUDE: - AT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, THE FAMILY INSTRUCTIONAL AND RESOURCE SERVICE TEAM (F.I.R.S.T.) PROGRAM AND PRESCHOOL SERVED 21 BABIES AND TODDLERS WITH HOME VISITS AND IN-PERSON CLASSES. AN ADDITIONAL 12 STUDENTS ATTENDED PRESCHOOL ON CAMPUS. ASSESSMENTS AND STANDARDS WERE USED TO PLAN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, WITH A FOCUS ON LANGUAGE, COGNITION, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND SELF-HELP, PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, AND BELONGING. AUTHENTIC HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION IS BASED ON THE STUDENTS INTERESTS AND IS PLAY BASED. IN OUR 4-YEAR OLDS CLASSROOMS, WE FOLLOW NYS PREKINDERGARTEN LEARNING STANDARDS. COMMUNICATION CLASSES ADDRESS THE IFSP/IEP GOALS FOR INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN, FOCUSING ON LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER SKILLS. THE NATURAL PLAYGROUND/OUTDOOR CLASSROOM EXTENDS THE LEARNING SPACE, FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND SUPPORTING GROSS MOTOR, LANGUAGE, COGNITION, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. STAFF CONTINUE TO DEVELOP A RICH LIBRARY OF ASL STORYTIME VIDEOS AS A RESOURCE TO FAMILIES, AND OFFERED ASL STORYTIME AT A LOCAL LIBRARY, AS WELL AS THE ZOO AND MUSEUMS AS PART OF DEAF CULTURE CELEBRATIONS. - IN OUR K-12 PROGRAM, ENROLLMENT AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WAS AS FOLLOWS: ELEMENTARY (K-5) 48, MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8) 19, AND HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) 36. RSD GRADUATED 4 SENIORS: 1 WITH NYS REGENTS DIPLOMAS, 2 WITH A LOCAL DIPLOMA, AND 1 WITH A SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENT CREDENTIAL. THE ROBUST K-12 CURRICULUM WAS SUPPLEMENTED BY THE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS PROGRAM AND PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT BELONGING, CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PRIDE, INCLUDING NUMEROUS OUTSIDE VISITORS. A NEW CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE DEVELOPED. THE BILINGUAL (ASL-ENGLISH) LITERACY CONTINUES TO BE AN AREA OF FOCUS AND DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE ADDITION OF A BILINGUAL GRAMMAR CURRICULUM SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR DEAF LEARNERS. A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS ADDRESSED NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN PARENT SURVEYS, INCLUDING TOPICS SUCH AS LITERACY LEARNING, ASL SKILLS AND DEAF CULTURE, AND DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND ADDICTION. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A WIDE RANGE OF ATHLETICS, CLUBS, AND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CHESS CLUB, JR. NAD, BATTLE OF THE BOOKS, GALLAUDET'S ACADEMIC BOWL, NTID MATH COMPETITION, AND MORE. ESPORTS WAS ADDED TO THE OPPORTUNITIES, AND RSD WON THE FIRST-EVER NATIONAL DEAF SCHOLASTIC ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP. ATHLETICS, IN PARTICULAR, PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND POINT OF PRIDE AT RSD, WITH EXTENSIVE TRAVEL TO OTHER DEAF SCHOOLS FOR TOURNAMENTS. RSD HOSTED THE ESDAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FOR OVER 10 DEAF SCHOOLS FROM THE EASTERN PART OF UNITED STATES.- LEARNING CONTINUED IN THE ECC AND GRADES K-8 WITH AN EXTENDED 6-WEEK SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM (SUMMER SCHOOL) DESIGNED TO SUPPORT QUALIFYING STUDENTS WITH THEIR IEP GOALS. IN SUMMER 2024, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESIDENTIAL INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM, INTERNSHIPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER'S WILMOT CANCER INSTITUTE, AND A WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM.- FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION REMAINS A PRIORITY, WITH REGULAR UPDATES/NEWSLETTERS, FREQUENT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOL LEADERS AND HOME, AND A VARIETY OF CAMPUS EVENTS (FAMILY FESTIVAL, ASL CELEBRATION, STEAM FESTIVAL, WORKSHOPS, PLAYS, OPEN HOUSE, ETC.) AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT RSD AND OTHER DEAF FAMILIES.- RSD PROVIDES SPACE TO THE ROCHESTER DEAF KITCHEN, WHICH OPERATES A PANTRY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FOODLINK THAT DISTRIBUTED FOOD AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY IN THE GREATER ROCHESTER AREA. OPERATED AS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT BY VOLUNTEERS AND RELIANT ON DONATIONS, THEY LEVERAGE FOODLINK'S BUYING POWER TO OBTAIN ITEMS AT COST. THE PANTRY IS AVAILABLE TO AND UTILIZED BY STAFF AND FAMILIES.
- $1.3 million spent. RESIDENTIAL - ROCHESTER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (RSD) PROVIDES HOUSING FOR STUDENTS WHOSE INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) REQUIRES IT AS PART OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. MORE THAN HALF OF THESE STUDENTS ARE RESIDENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUTSIDE OF MONROE COUNTY FOR WHOM A DAILY COMMUTE WOULD BE IMPRACTICAL. AS OF JUNE 2025, 29 STUDENTS LIVED ON CAMPUS IN THE GIRLS AND BOYS' DORMITORIES. DORMITORIES WERE OPERATIONAL ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. STUDENTS RECEIVE HOMEWORK AND OTHER SUPPORT IN AN INCLUSIVE BILINGUAL LIVING AND LEARNING COMMUNITY AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS, CLUBS, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
- $622,032 spent. DEAF INFANT PROGRAM - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN, NEWBORN TO AGE 3. EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR DEAF OR HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN TO AGE FOUR. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: - A HOME-BASED INFANTS, TODDLERS AND TWOS PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING FROM BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS OF AGE;- A HALF-DAY CENTER-BASED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN FROM 18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS OF AGE;- A FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 AND 4;- A SUMMER PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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