The Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) is a public, state-funded residential school serving deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind children in Minnesota and neighboring states. It is one of two Minnesota State Academies in Faribault, dedicated to providing specialized educational programs tailored to the needs of these student populations.
Minnesota became a state on May 11, 1858. During the first session of the state legislature that year, action was taken to establish a school for deaf children within Minnesota.
George E. Skinner, a representative from Faribault, advocated for locating the school—then referred to as a “deaf and dumb asylum”—in Faribault. The legislature agreed to place the institution there if the town’s citizens would donate 40 acres of land within two miles of the town center.
Faribault residents promptly donated 40 acres approximately one mile west of town for the school’s site. However, little progress was made for the next five years, a delay attributed largely to the Civil War and related local unrest.
In January 1863, the legislature revisited the issue. Senator Berry of Faribault introduced a bill to formally establish the school for deaf and blind children.
One of the earliest steps was appointing a superintendent. After receiving several applications, commissioner Rodney A. Mott traveled to Ohio to meet Roswell H. Kinney, a highly recommended teacher from the Ohio School for the Deaf. Kinney was appointed as the first superintendent.
On returning to Faribault, Mott sought a location to open the school. Since funds were unavailable to construct a building on the donated land, he rented a building at the corner of Front and Main streets (now Central Avenue and Division Street) for $150 per year. The building had previously served as a store and residence and was furnished in preparation for the school's opening on the second Wednesday of September 1863.[2]
The Minnesota School for the Deaf and Dumb officially opened in 1863 with eight enrolled students.[3] A department for the education of the blind was added in 1866.[3] In 1902, the institution was renamed the Minnesota School for the Deaf.[4] The name was changed to the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) in 1986.
Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf serves students from birth to 22 years old with varying degrees of hearing loss, drawn from all regions across Minnesota. The school provides access to a rigorous and rewarding education in a barrier‑free environment that supports multiple communication modes, including American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Instruction is delivered by licensed teachers trained specifically in Deaf and Hard of Hearing education. Families can choose for their child to attend as a day student, commuting daily from home, or as a residential student, staying in one of the campus dormitories and returning home weekly, or a combination of both options.[7]
Programs
Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf offers a broad range of programs and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing students. These include:
Academic programs spanning preschool through high school, designed to accommodate various communication preferences and learning styles
Residential housing with supportive living environments
Transportation services coordinated with families and home districts
Speech-language therapy to enhance communication skills
Occupational and physical therapies to support functional development
Counseling services focused on social-emotional well-being
Recreational programs promoting social engagement and wellness
Athletics opportunities fostering teamwork, physical fitness, and school spirit
Instructional methods are adapted to each student’s individual needs and may incorporate American Sign Language (ASL), English, ProTactile communication, and other accessible modalities. Beyond academics, MSAD encourages student participation in a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs, and student government, enriching their educational experience and promoting leadership skills.
Campus
The Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf is located in Faribault, Minnesota, approximately 40 miles south of Minneapolis along Interstate Highway 35. The campus spans 47.5 acres and includes a variety of facilities designed to support the academy’s educational, residential, and recreational programs.
Multiple academic buildings provide specialized classrooms, laboratories, and learning environments tailored to meet the unique needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. These spaces are intentionally designed to create an accessible and inclusive atmosphere that promotes effective communication and engagement.
Residential life is supported through well-appointed dormitories that offer comfortable accommodations for students living on campus. The dormitories foster a close-knit community, encouraging social interaction, independence, and personal development in a supportive environment.
Overall, the MSAD campus offers a comprehensive and barrier-free setting that nurtures academic achievement, social connection, and personal growth for its students. The thoughtfully designed facilities contribute to a vibrant educational community that empowers students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Residency
Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf is a residential school.[8] with two dormitories where students reside throughout the week. Students typically arrive on Sunday evenings and depart on Friday afternoons. Transportation is provided by the students' respective school districts. Parents can choose to pick up and drop off their child(ren) at the campus. Dormitories are for students who live more than 20 miles from the campus. Students who live within 20 miles of the campus are called "day students."
Athletics
The Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf offers a diverse range of athletic opportunities designed to promote physical fitness, skill development, and teamwork among its students. The school’s athletic program features popular team sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, and track and field, providing students with numerous options to engage in competitive and recreational sports.
In addition to these core sports, MSAD supports students interested in other athletic pursuits through cooperative agreements with local schools. For example, students wishing to participate in hockey can join cooperative teams in the surrounding area. This collaborative approach expands athletic opportunities, enabling students to benefit from broader competitive experiences and community engagement.
Importantly, students transferring to MSAD during their high school years with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) retain eligibility to participate in varsity sports. This ensures that transitioning students can continue their athletic involvement without interruption, fostering continuity in their personal and athletic development.
By offering a wide array of athletic activities, the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf encourages students to lead active, healthy lifestyles while fostering sportsmanship, leadership, and lifelong skills that extend well beyond the playing field.
The Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf provides dedicated athletic facilities[9] both on campus and within the local community to support its sports teams’ training and competitions.
Maurice Potter Field: This on-campus football field serves as the home venue for the academy’s football team. It offers the necessary infrastructure and amenities for practices and home games.
Lauritsen Gymnasium: The academy’s volleyball and basketball teams utilize this indoor gymnasium for practices and home matches. Equipped with regulation courts and spectator seating, it provides a controlled environment conducive to training and competition.
Bruce Smith Field and Ted Nelson Track: While the track and field team trains on campus, official competitions are held off-campus at Bruce Smith Field and Ted Nelson Track in Faribault. These community facilities offer regulation tracks and fields with the equipment required to host official track and field events.
By maintaining access to these specialized athletic spaces, the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf ensures its student-athletes benefit from comprehensive training environments and quality venues for competition. This infrastructure plays a key role in fostering athletic development, teamwork, and school spirit.
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