City of Rochester Park & Recreation Department, 701 Silver Creek Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906, US

The Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, located in Faribault, Minn., is a special education initiative of the Minnesota Department of Education. The academy provides liberal arts, vocational, and life skills training for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. It is approved by the state and the North Central Association; and offers state-approved high school diplomas. It provides a learning experience that promotes American Sign Language and English for effective communication. Its individualized education program prepares measurable goals for each child that can be accomplished in one year based on the present levels of educational performance. The goals help the student to progress in the general curriculum that includes subjects, such as language arts, American history, math, science, biology, fine arts and physical education. The academy promotes health and wellness through various extracurricular, recreational and athletic activities.