Programs

The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) provides a comprehensive K-12 educational experience tailored to meet the unique needs of students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH). The school’s curriculum is designed to foster academic success, cultural identity, and preparation for post-secondary opportunities. Here's an overview of the educational services offered at each school level:

Elementary School (K-5th Grade)

• Instruction: Students receive instruction in all core academic subjects through a combination of classroom teachers and educational developmental assistants. Small group learning strategies are used to enhance the learning experience.
• Specialized Subjects: In addition to core subjects, students receive instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) development, Computer Basics, and Physical Education.
• Additional Resources: Students have access to the Media Center to support research and learning.

Middle School (6th-8th Grade)

• Core Subjects: Classroom teachers specialize in English, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics.
• Specialized Subjects: Students also take classes in Physical Education, Computer, Robotics, and ASL.
• Additional Resources: The Media Center is available to assist with research and enhance students' learning experiences.

High School (9th-12th Grade)

• High School Credits: Students can earn high school credits to prepare for graduation under different tracks:
  • Future Ready Course of Study
  • Occupational Course of Study
  • Extended Content Standards (for students with more significant cognitive disabilities)
• Graduation Requirements: To graduate, students must earn at least 22 credit hours to meet North Carolina’s graduation standards.
• Core Subjects: In addition to the four core academic areas—English, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics—students have opportunities to take electives in Physical Education and Art.
• Career and Technology Education (CTE): Students have access to CTE courses that provide practical skills and prepare them for careers or further education. Offerings include:
  • Culinary Arts
  • Horticulture
  • Adobe and Microsoft Applications
  • Computer Science and Programming

These courses allow students to explore areas of interest and gain hands-on experience in fields that can provide valuable skills for their future.

Overall Program Highlights:

• Inclusive Education: The school embraces a personalized approach to education, focusing on the individual needs of each student while providing support in their language, culture, and academic development.
• Post-Secondary Preparation: Whether students plan to enter the workforce, pursue further education, or develop specific career skills, ENCSD ensures they have the necessary tools and experiences to succeed beyond high school.

Through a combination of specialized programs, core academics, and enriching extracurricular activities, ENCSD offers a well-rounded education that prepares students for success both in and outside of the classroom.

↑ Top

The ENCSD offers an Occupational Course of Study (OCS) track to high school students as determined by their IEP team. The OCS is a modified standard course of study consisting of courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and occupation preparation. The OCS has a vocational focus to prepare students to enter the work force upon graduation. Students are required to collect working hours across a variety of settings to better prepare them for life after high school.

↑ Top

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is a crucial part of the secondary education offered at the ENCSD. The CTE courses offered prepare students to be productive, well-rounded citizens by providing them with vocational knowledge and skills. The courses offered at the ENCSD currently are: Automotive, Agriculture and Horticulture, Adobe, Microsoft Applications, and Programming.

↑ Top

The ENCSD boarding program is available as an option for students that are unable to commute daily to campus. The program serves as a multi-functioning program that encourages and allows hands-on experiences to enrich student independence and social emotional management. The boarding program provides activities and planned lessons such as intramural sports, cooking, career and college exploration, and independent daily living skills. The boarding program also uses activities such as formal dinners, school dances, art expression, and social interactions to allow students to gain important experience in building and maintaining relationships.

↑ Top

The extended day program at the ENCSD is a unique program that takes place during the last hour of every school day Monday – Thursday. It is offered to all students and allows time for reinforcement or expansion of concepts learned in the classroom, participating in activities that provide critical thinking and social skills to students, or learning about the transition from high school to adulthood by learning essential life skills.

↑ Top

The intramurals program at the ENCSD encourages involvement of all boarding students in physical activity during non-instructional time after school. Intramurals are fun, inclusive, student-focused games that maximize student activeness and engagement. Students are exposed to a variety of games and activities that promote physical activity and well-being as well as teach them valuable skills in the areas of social interaction, teamwork, and following rules and procedures.

↑ Top

The ENCSD has numerous well-equipped, up-to-date sporting facilities available on campus. Our two gymnasiums on campus are equipped with basketball goals, score boards, and locker rooms and are suitable for basketball and volleyball games. Also available is our athletic training facility, equipped with an ice bath and massage table, as well as a weightlifting room. Outside there is a regulation size track and football field complete with field goals and bleachers on either side for spectators. 

Discover more about our Athletics program!

↑ Top

The ENCSD offers a middle school and high school robotics program for interested 7th-12th grade students using VEX Robotics. Students form teams and design a robot to compete in challenges against teams from other schools. Every year the game design changes and the teams are tasked with collaborating to develop a robot to meet that year’s challenge. The program teaches students valuable 21st century skills in the areas of engineering and technology, as well as other essential life skills such as teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking. The ENCSD has had teams compete in robotics competitions for the past five years. Teams have traveled to other states, such as Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kansas to compete with teams from all across the nation. The ENCSD team has been recognized for their achievements and, in 2022 and 2024, the ENCSD middle school team won the Judges Award for their dedicated work in the competition.

Students take robotics skills to Texas: ‘I am so proud of them’ - Wilson Times

↑ Top