Sometimes, traditional schools can’t meet the unique and often complex needs of students with differences and disabilities. A school for exceptional students may be a better fit.
Specialty schools aim to help a specific population of students, like those with visual impairments, hearing differences, learning disorders and more. They typically offer intensive supports, accommodations, specialized equipment and communication methods, teaching techniques, and a unique culture.
Several schools around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and New Mexico cater to a variety of students with differences and disabilities.
APS Developmental Preschool
Albuquerque Public Schools’ Developmental Preschool Classrooms offer intensive services to children with significant educational needs. Children receive services based on their Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and attend morning or afternoon sessions five days a week.
APS Stephen Moody & Highland Complexes
APS also has two educational complexes on the East Side of Albuquerque for students ages preK to 22 who are medically fragile, have autism, or other special needs. Placement is determined by the IEP team depending on the students’ needs. APS is also working to build a special needs school on the West Side with bond funds.
Albuquerque Sign Language Academy
A tuition-free public charter school with a dual language program (American Sign Language and English), serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Students who attend the ASL Academy do not need to meet any admission or eligibility requirements and do not need to have hearing loss as their primary disability.
Designs for Learning Differences Sycamore School
A private, non-profit year-round school serving students in grades 1-12 with many different learning difficulties. DLD Sycamore encourages students to learn at their own pace through small class sizes, an individualized curriculum, and a low student-to-teacher ratio.
New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
In Albuquerque, NMSBVI hosts a preschool for children ages 3-6 with diagnosed visual impairments that impact their ability to learn in a traditional classroom. NMSBVI also offers a residential program at its campus in Alamogordo for those who qualify.
New Mexico School for the Deaf
In Albuquerque, NMSD offers a preschool for kiddos with diagnosed hearing loss. They also provide Early Intervention services until the age of 6, including deaf mentors who make weekly in-home visits. The main school in Santa Fe offers kindergarten through 12th grade, including a weekday residential program for students who live too far away to travel to NMSD daily.
Pathways Academy
Pathways is a K-12 nonprofit, private school for students with a wide variety of special needs. Classes are small, and the program runs year-round, Monday through Thursday, offering a consistent schedule while leaving Fridays open for therapies and appointments.
Presbyterian Ear Institute School for Oral Deaf Education
Non-profit PEI’s School for Oral Deaf Education serves children ages 18 months to 6 years old who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech and language delays. The school focuses on developing listening and spoken language skills and maximum access to sound through hearing aids and cochlear implants, as well as academic and social skills, so students can be successful in mainstream classrooms and the world.
Life Skills Academy
Life Skills Classes are held in person and virtually, including evening classes, offering valuable knowledge to young people ages 16-22 who have experienced homelessness or who are disconnected from education and employment. Classes are offered on topics such as Employment & Career Exploration, Healthy Relationships & Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Community Engagement, and Leadership & Advocacy.
May School
Located in Santa Fe, the private May School serves exceptional students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and language processing disorder. The school offers Pre-K through 8th grade.
Education is one of the most important tools we can give to our children, both in the classroom and outside of it. Our hope is that you find the best place for your child.
Are we missing any schools on this list? If so, send us an email at [email protected].
