Every Child Deserves to Be Seen, Understood and Included.
At Stone River Academy, communication has many forms. We welcome children who are Deaf or hard of hearing and work in partnership with families to create meaningful access, belonging and participation.
Multiple communication paths honored
Visual, face-to-face, gesture-friendly learning
Family-first process — never automatic
Many voices. Many hands. One belonging.
We do not suggest that one communication method is superior to another. We do not promise speech development, hearing improvement or medical outcomes. We meet each child where they are.
- ✓American Sign Language
- ✓Spoken English
- ✓Spoken Spanish
- ✓Visual supports
- ✓Gestures
- ✓Facial expressions
- ✓Picture systems
- ✓Communication devices
- ✓Hearing aids
- ✓Cochlear implants
- ✓Total communication
- ✓Family-preferred methods
American Sign Language, woven into the day.
ASL isn't a lesson block — it's how we greet, sing, tell stories, transition and play. Children absorb it in the same natural rhythm they absorb English and Spanish.
Video/image uploaded by an administrator
- English
- Family
- Spanish
- Familia
- ASL
- Both hands in an 'F' shape, tips touching, rotating outward to form a circle.
All ASL content is reviewed by a qualified or experienced ASL user before publication.
Environments designed for the eyes as well as the ears.
A five-step conversation — never an automatic decision.
The process must never automatically accept, deny or classify a child. All final decisions require human review.
- 01
Family submits an inclusion inquiry.
- 02
An authorized administrator schedules a private conversation.
- 03
The family shares communication preferences, strengths and support needs.
- 04
The academy reviews environment, staffing, safety and reasonable support options.
- 05
The academy provides a written next-step plan.
Staff receive ongoing training in inclusive communication practices.
We do not claim all staff are fluent in ASL. We commit to consistent, respectful growth.
Access in every moment — including the ones that matter most.
We honor Deaf culture, family choice and the many ways children experience language and identity.
We avoid pity-based language, inspirational stereotypes, language suggesting a child must be 'fixed', medical claims and promises of therapeutic outcomes.
Start a conversation with our inclusion team.
Each child's needs are reviewed individually in partnership with the family and within the academy's licensed scope, staffing capacity and available resources.