Elementary Program

The Elementary Program located on Cleary’s Nesconset campus provides an educational setting for those children still needing the support of specially trained teachers in hearing loss in a small student-to-staff ratio. Students receive instruction in the core subjects: Math, Social Studies, Science, and Literacy, provided in the language that meets the communication needs of the child. Communication modalities include American Sign Language (ASL), a Sign Support System, or spoken English and are carried out by a communication plan created by the family and the professional team working with each child. A focus on mastering the thinking, and literacy skills within the New York State Curriculum; while continuing to support students’ delays in language skills as a result of their hearing loss is the overarching goal for the team of professionals.

The ability to meet the specialized communication and learning needs of a child with a hearing loss is what makes Cleary School for the Deaf an exceptional learning institution. In a small student-to-staff ratio classroom, our students receive the same educational opportunities as their hearing peers while having a teacher and other professionals that specialize in working with children with hearing loss. Children receive speech daily and occupational therapy, physical therapy, and counseling as determined by the student’s Committee on Special Education. Families have access to Parent Education, Parent Networking, and Social Workers.

We expect each student to develop into a productive and responsible citizen and member of society. 

Satellite Elementary Program

The Cleary Satellite Programs, housed in the East Islip Elementary schools, was established in September 2015 to provide partial to full mainstreaming opportunities for students who continue to need varying levels of academic support due to their hearing loss.

Self Contained Classrooms

These classrooms at our satellite sites consist of a small student to staff ratio taught by Cleary’s teachers through spoken language, ASL, or a signed support communication system. Students in these classrooms have opportunities to interact with typical hearing peers daily as they are integrated into special area instruction and for some students, regularly
scheduled class lessons with general education students. Each student receives daily individual speech-language therapy with Cleary School ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists specialized in hearing habilitation. The students in this program receive close individual academic instruction with access to full-sized elementary school culture.

Elementary Integrated Classes

Cleary School for the Deaf provides a unique opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students. They continue to require the support of a full-time Teacher of the Deaf and the opportunity to learn alongside their hearing peers in a general education classroom throughout the school day.

Housed in East Islip’s Elementary Schools, Cleary School for the Deaf provides a general education opportunity for deaf/hard of hearing students from kindergarten to fifth grade. At each grade level, up to six students with hearing loss are placed in a general education classroom with the support of Cleary’s full-time Teacher of the Deaf and teacher assistant. The work of the Cleary staff focuses on supporting students’ language development and conversational skills by facilitating listening and spoken language strategies while learning with and from their peers in the classroom. This program aims to prepare Cleary’s students to return to their home district, sustain the pace of a general education curriculum, and handle the listening challenges of a large classroom setting with minimal support of hearing services.

Our Elementary Programs Offer:

  • Teachers certified in Deaf Education, or special educators who are specially trained on hearing loss
  • NYS Curriculum alongside the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • Speech and Language therapy
  • Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Counseling, as needed.
  • Courses in Physical Education, Technology, Art, Health, Library, and Music, as offered.
  • Technology rich environment
  • Cooperative classroom environments
  • Participation in field trips and school assemblies
  • Before school tutoring, as needed
  • Services of our School Audiologist
  • Interdisciplinary evaluations and team meetings
  • Access to Parent Education