Two black and white historical photo collage layouts with four photos each are shown. The left collage displays photos of teachers and students in their school uniforms. Some teachers were nuns dressed in Habit. The right collage displays a group of guest visitors (Robert Kennedy and two secret service agents) and classroom lessons in action.

Our History

1959 – A need was identified for an Education Program to serve Deaf students in Brooklyn, lower Manhattan, and Staten Island.

1960 – On September 13, Sister Anne Behre opened St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf (SFDS) in St. Joseph’s Convent, Flushing, Queens with four students. Initially, the school existed on voluntary contributions.

1963 – There was a need for a larger facility, and the school moved to St. Francis Xavier High School in Brooklyn. Gradually, the high school phased out and in 1965, SFDS occupied the entire building.

1965 – The New York State Education Department (NYSED) included SFDS with other specialized schools for the blind and deaf designated as 4201 schools. The 4201 schools received direct financial support from NYSED. SFDS continued to expand from five classes to eleven classes.

1970 – It became necessary to rent six classrooms from a nearby parochial school, which allowed a total of 22 classes.

1973 – The population continued to grow, and SFDS moved to its present location in between Crown Heights & Prospect Heights, occupying the entire building with 26 classes.

1977 – A program for deaf infants and their parents was initiated (Parent-Infant Program).

2011 – Direct funding from the NYSED was changed to a per pupil charge paid for by local school districts. NYSED reimburses districts for the cost.

2015 – To respond to the need of Deaf students with Additional & Multiple Disabilities, the SFDS expanded to include programs for Deaf students with Autism, Intellectual Disabilities & Deafblind.