Iowa School for the Deaf
The first school for the hearing impaired was established in Iowa in 1854. By 1865, enrollment was booming despite the need for boys to stay home and supply farm labor (usually provided by men and boys off fighting in the Civil War). As a result, Iowa's legislature passed a bill providing for construction of a school in Council Bluffs.
School started in the fall of 1870 in a central building with one wing and an industrial building. Before the second wing could be completed, a fire in 1876 nearly destroyed the building. Later, a tornado destroyed most of the progress that had been made to build the west wing.
The first graduating class in 1884 consisted of 10 graduates.
The school had originally been known as the Iowa Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, but in 1892 was renamed the Iowa School for the Deaf.
In 1909, Dr. J. Schuyler, an ISD graduate and teacher published the first sign language dictionary. Streetcar service to the campus from Council Bluffs also began this year.
In 1921 the oral method of teaching was introduced. If the students were not successful orally, they were taught sign language. Most of the oral program students continued to use sign language outside of class.
During 1932 the mascot was changed from the Hawks to the Bobcats. The students believed the athletes were small but tough, just like the bobcat.
By 1970, sign language was used in all classes and due to legal changes during the 1970s, students were allowed to stay within their school districts with interpreters provided to them and were some ISD students began taking classes at Lewis Central. In 1989, it was required that all staff at the school be required to know sign language.
In the beginning, the classes were mostly vocational, teaching such things as shoe repair, china painting, upholstery, book binding, woodworking, upholstery, baking, farming, printing and gardening.
ISD has changed from a mostly vocational program to an academic one, but some classes, such as automotive have remained popular. The school also has graphic arts, metals technology and woodworking.
The school has had two rhythm bands through the years but later a bell choir replaced the rhythm bands. They students perform for the community several times a year.
To graduate, ISD students must meet the same requirements as hearing students. The school teaches life skills classes to prepare the students for life after ISD and many of the graduates go on to colleges and universities around the country.