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Admissions: The Neighborhood

DePaul School for Hearing and Speech is located in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, just minutes East of Downtown Pittsburgh.

The school building was renovated in 2002 into the ideal learning environment for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Each classroom is acoustically sound. Abundant bright lighting eliminates facial shadows to aid in speech reading. Wooden furniture and toys along with anti-static carpeting eliminate any static electricity that may naturally occur as this could erase the "mapping" of a student's cochlear implant. For the student's safety there is an extra loud fire alarm system with flashing lights.

DePaul's newly renovated library houses several thousand books, periodicals and DVDs. In keeping with DePaul's commitment to technology, students also have access to basic and advanced educational and multimedia programs via workstations in every classroom as well as a dedicated computer lab.

The school shares some facilities with Sacred Heart Academy including a double gymnasium and a multi purpose room with a stage suitable for large scale theatrical productions. DePaul is currently constructing a playground for our students (as well as the surrounding community). The playground, which will be adjacent to the school, will be operational in time for the opening of the 2006/2007 school year. A large portion of the playground will contain specialized play equipment suitable for children in the toddler program.

Hot lunches are served each day "in the round". The students are served family style with a teacher at each table to facilitate lunchtime conversations among the students. At DePaul, every opportunity is taken to foster strong oral communication skills.

Visitors enjoy convenient free parking and approach the DePaul building through an original arched sculpture celebrating children's voices.