Rochester School for the Deaf

ASL Classes for the Community

Welcome! Rochester School for the Deaf is pleased to offer American Sign Language (ASL) classes to the community.

Are you interested in learning ASL? Whether you are a beginner or want to advance your proficiency in ASL, we'd love to see you in one of our classes!

Rochester has one of the largest Deaf communities in the nation, and learning ASL helps us all participate more fully in all aspects of civic life and allows us to be good neighbors and create a welcoming community. Many individuals choose to take classes with us to help them communicate with friends, clients, patients, family, and coworkers.

We offer three 10-week course sessions per year in fall, winter, and spring.

We also partner with area organizations and businesses to customize courses.

A hand forms a sign language gesture near a person's ear, with the word 'hello' below.

Fall 2026 Community ASL Evening Classes

Community ASL 1: Tuesdays 6 pm – 8 pm – in person

ASL Teacher: Frank Sankey

Dates: 09/15, 09/22, 09/29, 10/06, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27; 11/03, 11/10, 11/17

Community ASL 1: Wednesdays 6 pm – 8 pm – in person

Teacher: Frank Sankey

Date: 09/16, 09/23, 09/30; 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28; 11/04, 11/18, 11/25*

(*11/11 - RSD Closed for Veterans Day; make-up class on 11/25.)

Community ASL 2: Thursdays 6 pm – 8 pm – in person

ASL Teacher: Andrea Vega

Date: 09/17, 09/24; 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29; 11/05, 11/12, 11/19

Community ASL 2: Thursday 6 pm – 8 pm – Virtual (Zoom)

ASL Teacher: Michael Gonzalez

Date: 09/17, 09/24; 10/01, 10/08, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29; 11/05, 11/12, 11/19

REGISTER HERE

Community Classes follow the curriculum outlined in Signs of the Times by Edgar H. Shroyer. Signs of the Times uses pictures to demonstrate the signs. Using the spiral approach, signs are repeated and build on previously introduced signs and then integrated into sentences. Each lesson also looks at Deaf culture.

Sign up for ASL 1 if you haven't taken any classes before. Lessons 1 - 10 will be covered from the Signs of the Times book.

Sign up for ASL 2 if you have previously taken ASL 1 and you are ready to move on to Lessons 11 - 20 of the Signs of the Times book.

Class Fee: $135, payable at registration

Book Fee: $42 (pickup at RSD required), or you may order it on Amazon.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All classes are held in Lyon Hall, on RSD’s campus. Students should park in Lots C or A.
Books may be picked up on campus. The location and date for pickup are in the registration section. The book must be paid for in advance with registration.

Rochester School for the Deaf is located at 1545 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY.
Directions and Campus Map
Please bring or have available a pen/pencil, pocket folder, writing pad, and the textbook.
No refunds are issued after the first class. Up until the second class, the enrollment fee may be credited and applied to a future SFA class within the year. No credits or refunds will be issued after the second class.
Yes. All classes are contingent upon sufficient enrollment. These classes are provided as a service to families and the community.
Yes. Each in-person class allows up to 18 students. The virtual classes allow up to 12 students.