New Mexico School for the Deaf : Vision

Photo of a student learning to complete a task on the computer.

Mission

As a School, we provide a bilingual (American Sign Language and English) learning environment that includes direct, ongoing access to communication and language in and out of the classroom with both peers and adults. Deaf/hard of hearing students are interactive learners who receive high quality, standards-based instruction and multiple opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities.*

As an Outreach Agency, we collaborate with families, school districts, agencies and communities throughout the state to meet the unique communication, language, and learning needs of deaf/hard of hearing children and students, birth through high school.*

* Instructional, residential, transportation, and early intervention services are provided to NMSD students free of charge. Outreach services are also free except for certain workshops and classes.

Vision

Deaf/hard of hearing children and students in New Mexico will become lifelong learners and contributing, confident, and successful citizens via communication-based instruction, high expectations, and active participation in all aspects of the learning environment.

In an environment of respect, trust, and safety, we believe in…

viewing people who are deaf/hard of hearing from a cultural and linguistic perspective
supporting early and ongoing access to fluid communication and language models as this is indispensable to learning and development
providing quality early intervention services and support to families
having strong partnerships with families
honoring ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity
identifying each student’s unique strengths and using them as the basis for learning and development
developing proficiency in American Sign Language and English as a foundation for fluent communication, literacy and academic achievement

providing barrier-free and continuous quality communication and language access in and out of the classroom
supporting individual empowerment by providing opportunity for involvement where all members of the community are accepted and valued
developing competence in the use of state-of-the-art technology
providing quality planned and incidental curricular and extracurricular activities to support the development of well-rounded students
having professional early interventionists and educators who possess specific training and expertise in working with the deaf/hard of hearing
helping all students discover their personal and professional dreams

Revised 4-6-2009

© 2011 New Mexico School for the Deaf | 1060 Cerrillos Road • Santa Fe, NM 87505 | 505-476-6300
Website by trafficdeveloper.com