named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Deaf Community Advocacy and Leadership
Supports alumni and community members in advancing deaf rights, improving access to interpreter services, and promoting closed captioning.
Distinguished Wall of Fame
Honors alumni who have made significant contributions to the deaf community and society, highlighting achievements in education, advocacy, athletics, and leadership.
Sports and Athletics Program
Comprehensive athletic program that has produced nationally recognized deaf athletes and teams, including participation in Deaf Olympics and national tournaments.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Special Education Support Services 2 activities
- Delivering specialized instruction for students with severe and multiple disabilitiesOperates an Alternative class setting and the Special Needs Achievement Program (SNAP) for elementary students with severe and multiple disabilities, using an individualized, hands-on learning approach tailored to student needs.
- Providing speech, language, and related therapiesDelivers on-site Speech and Language Therapy for all elementary students as specified in their IEPs, along with Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Counseling, and Adapted Physical Education. Integrates therapists into classroom support teams to collaborate with teachers on student needs.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Advocating for Deaf and disabled children's educationAdvocates for blind, deaf, and severely physically disabled children in New York State and serves as a resource to promote best practices in their education.
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Fire Safety Education & Prevention 1 activity
- Ensuring campus safety and preparednessConducts at least four fire drills annually to ensure safety preparedness and maintains a safe, healthy, and positive school environment for all students.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Facilitating student community serviceOrganizes community service opportunities for students before graduation, including visiting nursing homes, feeding the poor, and cleaning local communities to foster civic responsibility.
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Offering extracurricular programs in arts and athleticsProvides extracurricular opportunities including music performances, athletics, and family activities. Hosts a Sports Hall of Fame event to recognize athletic achievements and collaborates on theatrical productions with IRT Theater, Brooklyn Collaborative Studies, and Lexington School for the Deaf.
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Student Housing and Residential Services 1 activity
- Operating a 5-day residential programProvides a residential program for approximately one-third of its student population, offering a home-like environment from Monday through Thursday evenings to support student learning and well-being.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services 1 activity
- Providing K-12 education for Deaf studentsOffers a comprehensive educational program for Deaf students from Preschool through 5th Grade and beyond, using accessible communication methods and integrating language development across core and special subjects. Ensures alignment with New York State curriculum standards and participation in state assessments.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognizing alumni contributionsRecognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to the Deaf community and society through formal acknowledgment and events.
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Inclusive Playground Development 1 activity
- Upgrading school infrastructureRedesigned and is installing a new playground at St. Mary's School for the Deaf, with construction planned to enhance student recreational facilities.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Ensuring institutional accreditationMaintains institutional accreditation through the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD), having been re-accredited in 2024.
- Implementing school-wide communication systemsUses ParentSquare as the centralized communication platform for delivering messages, information, and emergency alerts to the school community, having transitioned from Remind for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Producing ASL and school communication contentProduces weekly morning video announcements through Bison News and a daily 'Sign of the Day' instructional video series led by an ASL specialist to promote language development and school engagement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$13.57M
Contributions & grants$114K1%
Program service revenue$13.39M99%
Investment income$120%
Other revenue$68K
expenses
Total expenses$13.65M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$10.67M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$10.91M
Cash$1.67M
Investments$0
Liabilities$8.44M
Net assets$2.47M
Liquid reserves1.5 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2023 · YoY revenue +0.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY M KELLY | SUPERINTENDENT | 40 | $256K |
| MARK S COFFED | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERA | 40 | $169K |
| MARY DESTEFANO | DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES | 40 | $116K |
| RICHARD SZAFRANEK | DIRECTOR OF PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES | 40 | $115K |
| JOY HIGGINS | ELEMENTARY ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL | 40 | $115K |
| AIMEE BELL | SECONDARY ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL | 40 | $106K |
board members · 15
- ALLISON DAVIS — TRUSTEE
- BRIAN KNAUTH — CHAIRPERSON
- CATHERINE GRISWOLD — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER KERR — TRUSTEE
- DAVID YOUNG — TRUSTEE
- GREGG MOORE — TRUSTEE
- JACOB LEFFLER — VICE CHAIRPERSON
- JOSEPH VICARIO — TRUSTEE
- KRISTIN DEVEREAUX — TRUSTEE
- LAUREN BRONNEBERG — SECRETARY
- LISA KRIEGER — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL GRIMALDI — TREASURER
- MICHAEL ZIONTS — TRUSTEE
- SEAN RYAN NYS ASSEMBLYMAN — (EX-OFFICIO)
- SISTER BETH ANN FINSTER — TRUSTEE
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- 4201 Schools Association Network — Member of a coalition of 11 schools advocating for blind, deaf, and severely physically disabled children in New York State.
- 4201 Schools Association Network — Member of a coalition of 11 schools serving blind, deaf, and severely physically disabled children in New York State.
- Aimee Bell Partner — Superintendent of St. Mary's School for the Deaf and member of the Board of Trustees
- BidNet Partner — Partner platform used to host and distribute bid opportunities for St. Mary's School for the Deaf.
- Brooklyn Collaborative Studies Partner — Collaborates on theatrical productions and student performances.
- Buffalo Civic Association of the Deaf Partner — Collaborates with alumni who have held leadership roles in the organization.
- Buffalo Club of the Deaf Partner — Engages with alumni who have held leadership, athletic, and organizational roles.
- Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf Government — Accrediting body that re-accredited St. Mary's School for the Deaf in 2024
- Deaf Adult Services Partner — Collaborates with alumni who helped establish and lead services for Deaf adults in Western New York.
- Empire State Association of the Deaf Partner — Works with alumni who have served in leadership and governance roles.
- Empire State Purchasing Group Partner — Collaborates to post bid opportunities and manage vendor registration and notifications.
- Foundation for Deaf Education Partner — Collaborates with St. Mary's School for the Deaf through shared board membership and joint support of deaf education.
- IRT Theater Partner — Collaborates on theatrical productions and student performances.
- Lexington School for the Deaf Partner — Collaborates on theatrical productions and student performances.
- Lincoln Center Partner — Inspires student performance initiatives through its Sidewalk Sessions program.
- New York State Government — Follows New York State curriculum standards and participates in state assessments.
- ParentSquare Partner — Technology partner providing the school's primary communication platform for families and staff.
- ParentSquare Partner — Uses ParentSquare platform for communication and information sharing with families.
- Sean Ryan Government — NYS Assemblyman serving in an ex-officio capacity on the Board of Trustees
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Bilingual Education for Full Language Accessmethodology: bilingual_educationBy using American Sign Language and English as core languages of instruction, we ensure full and ongoing access to language and communication for academic and social development, because bilingualism supports cognitive, linguistic, and cultural growth in deaf students.
- Child-First Philosophy with Access Through Multiple Modalitiesmethodology: child_firstBy affirming each child’s right to access learning through multiple communication methods in a supportive environment, we foster holistic development, because recognizing the whole child—linguistically, emotionally, and socially—leads to greater engagement and educational success.
- Individualized, Hands-On Learning for Students with Complex Needsmethodology: individualized_hands-on_learningBy tailoring instruction to individual student strengths and using hands-on, experiential methods, we improve learning outcomes for students with severe and multiple disabilities, because personalized engagement maximizes accessibility and developmental progress.
- Language-Integrated Curriculum Across All Subjectsmethodology: language-integrated_curriculumBy embedding language development into every academic and special subject, we create a comprehensive language-rich environment, because continuous, cross-contextual language exposure is essential for deaf students’ literacy and communication mastery.