The American School for the Deaf, founded in 1817, is an internationally recognized institution that serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students from ages 3 to 21. Founded in 1817 by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, the school moved from its original building in Hartford to its stately grounds in West Hartford a few years later. The school embraces a Total Communication Philosophy that uses a variety of methods to assist communication, including English, American Sign Language, speech, auditory training and assistive devices. About 200 students attend the school, and about half of them live on campus. Students come from 84 Connecticut school districts, as well as from other states and other countries.