We have the following beliefs about education, and have developed a corresponding vision for our school:

1. We believe in educating the whole child, and that developing each student’s unique abilities and positive sense of identity is critical for student achievement and success throughout life. To this end, “47”:
   1. Celebrates learning in an environment that provides equity, inclusivity and equal access to education for all--Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing members of our community
   2. ​Fosters an environment which celebrates students’ successes and identities
   3. Understands the importance of a working knowledge of our students’ abilities and strengths, to ensure that we nurture their creativity as well as their academic achievements​​
2. ​All students, supported by high expectations and actively engaged in meaningful and challenging standards-based work, will learn, achieve and succeed. Our community:
   1. Instills and communicates high expectations to students effectively
   2. ​Promotes and values student achievement
   3. Has a rigorous standards-based curriculum, with challenging tasks embedded in units
   4. Creates cooperative groups with differentiated lessons to meet individual students’ needs
   5. Celebrates student work products
3. Access to and acquisition of linguistic proficiency in ASL and English are integral to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students', CODAs', and SODAs' overall development. ​Exposure to and experience with ASL, Deaf culture and other diverse cultures will enrich the lives of students and their families. To accomplish this, “47”:
   1. Employs members of the Deaf community: 30% of our faculty and staff are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or have a Deaf family member​
   2. Cultivates the skills to develop and nurture peer relationships
   3. Maintains an open dialogue between all parties
   4. Fosters tolerance and respect for one another, Deaf culture and communication in both American Sign Language and English
4. Direct communication with families, including partnerships that support and inform children’s educational experiences, creates a strong community and contributes to student achievement. Our community:
   1. Nurtures peer relationships and the skills needed to develop them
   2. Provides direct communication, services, and supports to families, and involves them in decision-making
   3. Affords emotional support for students and families
5. Active, cooperative partnerships between the student, family, school, and community is essential for student growth and development. We believe:
   1. ​​​Participation in community service and internships is integral to these partnerships
   2. Academic and afterschool programs should be broad, challenging, and individualized to promote a life-long desire to learn
   3. Deaf culture is integral to the identity of our school
   4. Having direct access to ASL in the classroom, hallways or while eating lunch with their peers is necessary for purposes of inclusivity and safety
   5. Making students a valued part of the group by having supports in place eliminates language-related isolation and visual distractions
   6. Competence with technology is an integral part of students’ access to information and communication.
6. ​An inclusive community, enhanced by the various cultures, experiences, and abilities of its members, encourages  a school climate focused on learning, mutual  respect and caring. This requires:
   1. Organized, accessible and inviting learning environments
   2. Reflective practices
   3. Well-established school expectations and norms
   4. Team community building