NMSD’s rigorous academic program conforms to the New Mexico State Standards and the Common Core State Standards. The programs are specifically tailored to suit each student’s unique strengths and needs through their Individualized Education Programs. NMSD believes in ongoing assessment and monitoring of each student that is tailored to each student’s learning provide.
Data-driven instruction is essential in determining a student’s strengths and needs and in determining not only the content that needs to be taught but the instructional strategies that should be used. NMSD’s teachers regularly engage students in ongoing assessment activities that are designed to inform instruction. Yearly and short-cycle assessments are also used to evaluate NMSD students’ progress.
A wide range of academic courses designed to maximize each student’s potential is provided. Students become active, engaged learners and are central in their language and communication environment with full access to both planned and incidental learning. Ongoing, clear direct communication between students and teachers as well as peer to peer communication is critical to each child’s development and this is emphasized throughout the day in various settings.
In adherence to NMSD’s Vision, Mission and Beliefs, NMSD’s bilingual program provides students with ongoing opportunities to develop a full and rich understanding of and proficiency in both ASL and English. Because literacy is the cornerstone of all learning, all students receive a language-intensive program both inside and outside the classroom so that they obtain the tools they need to achieve their goals.
NMSD has received full accreditation from two agencies: AdvancED and CEASD.