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2012/2013 School Year (K-7)
2011/2012 School Year (K-6) *No vacancies at this time. All applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

As with many charter schools, the founders see a need which is not being addressed and a population which is not being served by existing schools and programs. After years of working within the existing systems and speaking with teachers and parents regarding their experiences with deaf education, the ASL Academy founders determined that opening a charter school was an exciting option because it provided for significant and immediate change.

The ASL Academy is comprised of children who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children including siblings of dhh, children of deaf adults (CODAs), visual learners, and others who can benefit from a bilingual education but are not eligible for enrollment in existing “deaf” programs and schools. Nationally, there are only a few deaf and hard of hearing programs which also enroll hearing students. The ASL Academy will initially offer classes for kindergarten through the fifth grade, and will ultimately expand to preschool through the eighth grade. The ASL Academy is centrally located in downtown Albuquerque so that children from outlying areas, including Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Belen, Los Lunas, Tijeras, Moriarty and Edgewood, may readily attend. The school operates on a year-round schedule.

The educational philosophy of the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy is built upon serving three important entities: the child, the family, and the community. The parents and teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children recognize that these children are capable and eager to learn, and if given the right learning environment, their accomplishments can be as limitless as those of their hearing peers. A rigorous standards-based bilingual educational program which promotes high academic expectations is the foundation of the school. The curriculum will support language acquisition of both ASL and English for all students. The ASL Academy believes a learning environment carefully tailored to support each student’s unique needs will give them the opportunity to flourish and reach their full potential – not only educationally, but also socially and emotionally.

The ASL Academy’s vision further extends to include parents and families in order to foster real change in deaf education. Family support and involvement is vital to the success of all children, and since 90% of students with hearing loss come from hearing families, the ASL Academy will also focus on educating and supporting parents by providing programs including ASL classes, parent groups, and educational workshops. Additionally, by sponsoring community events the ASL Academy will increase awareness of deaf and hard of hearing children and their abilities, connect students and parents with deaf and hard of hearing adults, provide social opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing students and hearing siblings enrolled in other schools, and encourage family networking. The creation of these new partnerships will complete the framework in which children can grow and prosper throughout childhood and into adulthood.

By creating a bilingual multicultural school staffed by teachers and administrators who are all trained, experienced and passionate about education, the ASL Academy will create a true school-wide community in which deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children and their families will be the main priority. All aspects of the program will focus on the needs of persons impacted by hearing loss, including providing the following:

• tuition-free public school without eligibility or admission requirements
• bilingual ASL-English program
• direct instruction in American Sign Language
• low student-teacher ratio and small class sizes
• ancillary services including speech, occupational and physical therapy
• high academic standards and expectations for all students
• educators and administrators knowledgeable in deaf and bilingual education
• expansion of the critical mass by including hearing children such as siblings and children with deaf parents
• school-wide access to language
• after-school and intercession programs
• parent groups and educational workshops (including ASL classes for families)
• parent-infant and parent-toddler groups
• community events encouraging multiculturalism and networking
• relevant professional education for teachers and educational assistants
• central location in downtown Albuquerque at 620 Lomas Blvd. NW
• free transportation to and from school for all students (dhh and hearing)

Until now, this all-encompassing school has been an unattainable dream for many teachers, parents, and children. By bringing together critical stakeholders and educational professionals, the ASL Academy will succeed in accomplishing what many have long envisioned for the greater Albuquerque area.

Jennifer Thompson, Academy Administrator
620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albq. NM 87102
Phone: Voice 505.247.1701 / VP 505.435.9680 / Fax: 505.247-1704
Email: ASLacademy@gmail.com

Governance Board Meetings:
Regular Meetings are held the second Monday of the month at 4:00pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Meetings are open to the public and an ASL interpreter is provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or to the school to be received no later than 6 days prior to the meeting.

Special Meeting Notice: Please note this meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 3rd at 4:30pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Meetings are open to the public and an ASL interpreter is provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or to the school to be received no later than 6 days prior to the meeting.

Annual Budget Meeting Notice: The ASL Academy will be approving its 2012-2013 School Year Budget on May 14, 2012 during a regularly scheduled Governing Council meeting. The meeting will be held at at 4:00pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Meetings are open to the public and an ASL interpreter is provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or call Jennifer Thompson at (505) 247-1701 at least one (1) week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact Jennifer Thompson at (505) 247-1701 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

The next meeting will be held June 6th, 2012 from 3:30-4:30 pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. ASL interpreter provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or to the school to be received no later than 6 days prior to the meeting. Any person, who desires to be considered for one of the Elective Positions on the Council, shall submit a letter of interest to the Council Chair no later than August 1st of each year or shall make their interest known at the start of the initial meeting of each school year. At the initial Council meeting, the Council shall vote to approve or disapprove, as a whole, any candidates for any open position(s) based on the qualifications outlined in the SAC Bylaws. If approved, all such candidates shall be placed on the annual meeting election ballot.For more information, please contact the school at (505) 247-1701 or ASLacademy@gmail.com.

Lottery Drawings
Lottery drawings are open to the public and are held at 9:00am at 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Lottery drawings will be held monthly through May and weekly thereafter through the end of the school year. Please see the ASL Academy Lottery & Admissions Policies and Procedures for complete information concerning the lottery and enrollment process, including important deadlines. Click here for LOTTERY & ENROLLMENT INFORMATION / INFORMACIÓN E INSCRIPCIÓN

ADULT SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Classes in American Sign Language are offered to the general public through the Deaf Cultural Center. Please contact Corina Gutierrez at asl4dccnm@gmail.com for more information.

Please note that the ASL Academy is an elementary school and does not offer sign language classes and does not provide interpreting services to the general public.





			LOTTERY APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED (Click Here) 2012/2013 School Year (K-7) 2011/2012 School Year (K-6) No vacancies at this time. All applicants will be placed on a waiting list. JOB POSTINGS FOR 2012/2013 SCHOOL YEAR* Updated 4/10/2012 2011/2012 SCHOOL CALENDAR INFORMACIÓN EN ESPANOL WHY START A CHARTER SCHOOL? As with many charter schools, the founders see a need which is not being addressed and a population which is not being served by existing schools and programs. After years of working within the existing systems and speaking with teachers and parents regarding their experiences with deaf education, the ASL Academy founders determined that opening a charter school was an exciting option because it provided for significant and immediate change. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THE ASL ACADEMY? The ASL Academy is comprised of children who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children including siblings of dhh, children of deaf adults (CODAs), visual learners, and others who can benefit from a bilingual education but are not eligible for enrollment in existing “deaf” programs and schools. Nationally, there are only a few deaf and hard of hearing programs which also enroll hearing students. The ASL Academy will initially offer classes for kindergarten through the fifth grade, and will ultimately expand to preschool through the eighth grade. The ASL Academy is centrally located in downtown Albuquerque so that children from outlying areas, including Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Belen, Los Lunas, Tijeras, Moriarty and Edgewood, may readily attend. The school operates on a year-round schedule. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY The educational philosophy of the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy is built upon serving three important entities: the child, the family, and the community. The parents and teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children recognize that these children are capable and eager to learn, and if given the right learning environment, their accomplishments can be as limitless as those of their hearing peers. A rigorous standards-based bilingual educational program which promotes high academic expectations is the foundation of the school. The curriculum will support language acquisition of both ASL and English for all students. The ASL Academy believes a learning environment carefully tailored to support each student’s unique needs will give them the opportunity to flourish and reach their full potential – not only educationally, but also socially and emotionally. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY The ASL Academy’s vision further extends to include parents and families in order to foster real change in deaf education. Family support and involvement is vital to the success of all children, and since 90% of students with hearing loss come from hearing families, the ASL Academy will also focus on educating and supporting parents by providing programs including ASL classes, parent groups, and educational workshops. Additionally, by sponsoring community events the ASL Academy will increase awareness of deaf and hard of hearing children and their abilities, connect students and parents with deaf and hard of hearing adults, provide social opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing students and hearing siblings enrolled in other schools, and encourage family networking. The creation of these new partnerships will complete the framework in which children can grow and prosper throughout childhood and into adulthood. OVERALL BENEFITS OF THE ASL ACADEMY By creating a bilingual multicultural school staffed by teachers and administrators who are all trained, experienced and passionate about education, the ASL Academy will create a true school-wide community in which deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children and their families will be the main priority. All aspects of the program will focus on the needs of persons impacted by hearing loss, including providing the following: • tuition-free public school without eligibility or admission requirements • bilingual ASL-English program • direct instruction in American Sign Language • low student-teacher ratio and small class sizes • ancillary services including speech, occupational and physical therapy • high academic standards and expectations for all students • educators and administrators knowledgeable in deaf and bilingual education • expansion of the critical mass by including hearing children such as siblings and children with deaf parents • school-wide access to language • after-school and intercession programs • parent groups and educational workshops (including ASL classes for families) • parent-infant and parent-toddler groups • community events encouraging multiculturalism and networking • relevant professional education for teachers and educational assistants • central location in downtown Albuquerque at 620 Lomas Blvd. NW • free transportation to and from school for all students (dhh and hearing) Until now, this all-encompassing school has been an unattainable dream for many teachers, parents, and children. By bringing together critical stakeholders and educational professionals, the ASL Academy will succeed in accomplishing what many have long envisioned for the greater Albuquerque area. CLICK TO BE ADDED TO OUR CONTACT LIST Jennifer Thompson, Academy Administrator 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albq. NM 87102 Phone: Voice 505.247.1701 / VP 505.435.9680 / Fax: 505.247-1704 Email: ASLacademy@gmail.com PUBLIC NOTICE Governance Board Meetings: Regular Meetings are held the second Monday of the month at 4:00pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Meetings are open to the public and an ASL interpreter is provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or to the school to be received no later than 6 days prior to the meeting. CLICK for Meeting Agenda Special Meeting Notice: Please note this meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 3rd at 4:30pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Meetings are open to the public and an ASL interpreter is provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or to the school to be received no later than 6 days prior to the meeting. Annual Budget Meeting Notice: The ASL Academy will be approving its 2012-2013 School Year Budget on May 14, 2012 during a regularly scheduled Governing Council meeting. The meeting will be held at at 4:00pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Meetings are open to the public and an ASL interpreter is provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or call Jennifer Thompson at (505) 247-1701 at least one (1) week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact Jennifer Thompson at (505) 247-1701 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed. School Advisory Council (SAC) Meetings: The next meeting will be held June 6th, 2012 from 3:30-4:30 pm at The ASL Academy, 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. ASL interpreter provided. To request additional reasonable accommodations, please submit request in writing via email to ASLacademy@gmail.com or to the school to be received no later than 6 days prior to the meeting. Any person, who desires to be considered for one of the Elective Positions on the Council, shall submit a letter of interest to the Council Chair no later than August 1st of each year or shall make their interest known at the start of the initial meeting of each school year. At the initial Council meeting, the Council shall vote to approve or disapprove, as a whole, any candidates for any open position(s) based on the qualifications outlined in the SAC Bylaws. If approved, all such candidates shall be placed on the annual meeting election ballot.For more information, please contact the school at (505) 247-1701 or ASLacademy@gmail.com. CLICK for SAC Meeting Agenda Lottery Drawings Lottery drawings are open to the public and are held at 9:00am at 620 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Lottery drawings will be held monthly through May and weekly thereafter through the end of the school year. Please see the ASL Academy Lottery & Admissions Policies and Procedures for complete information concerning the lottery and enrollment process, including important deadlines. Click here for LOTTERY & ENROLLMENT INFORMATION / INFORMACIÓN E INSCRIPCIÓN ASL Academy Grand Opening News Footage To access the NM Dept. of Education’s Parental and Child Rights in Special Education, click here: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/SEB/index.html To access the Free and Reduced Lunch Income Eligibility Guidelines, click here: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/SEB/index.html ADULT SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES Classes in American Sign Language are offered to the general public through the Deaf Cultural Center. Please contact Corina Gutierrez at asl4dccnm@gmail.com for more information. Please note that the ASL Academy is an elementary school and does not offer sign language classes and does not provide interpreting services to the general public.
	“We ask for that which all other hearing children in this nation simply take for granted- the right of a deaf or hard of hearing child to develop communication and language, to communicate, to become literate and therefore to learn.” - The National Agenda

	“…families, educators and consumers have realized that deaf and hard of hearing children, like all children, require and should have a number of options for the selection and development of communication and language and educational programs.” - The National Agenda

	“It is necessary because we cannot lose another generation of children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing.” - Toward Brighter Futures: 2003 Task Force Report