Del Rio Academy
A Specialized Learning Environment
for Academic and Personal Success
We Help Children Thrive
Del Rio Academy is an accredited private, not-for-profit school located on the Sandhill Center campus. As the educational component of Sandhill, Del Rio Academy provides a structured yet flexible learning environment where students receive individualized academic support tailored to their unique learning needs. Many students arrive at Del Rio Academy after facing challenges in traditional academic settings. Through a blend of experiential learning, small class sizes, and personalized instruction, we help students develop the skills and confidence needed for academic success.
Del Rio Academy Offers:
Small Class Sizes: Focused attention and individualized instruction in an intimate learning environment.
Teacher Rotation Model: Teachers rotate between classrooms while students remain in a familiar setting.
Experiential Learning: Applied learning opportunities, such as monthly field trips to participate in the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program, enrich classroom instruction and promote hands-on engagement.
Individualized Curriculum: Lessons and assignments adapted to each student’s learning style and academic needs, ensuring structured support for skill development.
Extended School Year: A 200-day academic schedule ensures consistency and continuity in learning, with school breaks aligned with local public school calendars.
A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Learning
Del Rio Academy integrates the Neurosequential Model of Education (NME), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry, to provide a structured, regulated, and supportive learning environment. This approach mirrors the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) used at Sandhill Center, ensuring consistency across academic and therapeutic settings.
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The Neurosequential Model of Education (NME) helps educators understand how brain development and early experiences shape learning, behavior, and emotional regulation—particularly in children who have faced adversity. At Del Rio Academy, NME guides our approach by providing insights into how stress and trauma impact a child's ability to focus, engage, and retain information. By applying developmentally informed teaching strategies, we create structured, supportive environments that help students build confidence, develop self-regulation skills, and re-engage in learning at a pace that meets their individual needs.
Experience Del Rio Academy’s Unique
New Mexico Setting
Supporting Academic Success: Challenges We Address
At Del Rio Academy, we provide a structured, supportive environment where students, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1, can re-engage with learning. Many have struggled in traditional classrooms due to challenges with focus, emotional regulation, and social interactions. Our approach combines individualized instruction, neurodevelopmentally informed strategies, and structured support to help students build confidence in their abilities.
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For some students, frustration, anxiety, or difficulty managing emotions can interfere with their ability to stay engaged in school. They may experience outbursts, avoidance, or shutdowns when faced with academic challenges. At Del Rio Academy, we use structured support, movement-based regulation strategies, and a low-stress learning environment to help students develop self-regulation skills so they can participate more fully in their education.
Strategies include:
Activity schedules to provide predictability and ease transitions
Sensory regulation techniques, such as deep pressure stimulation (DPS)
Canine-assisted therapy to promote emotional grounding and engagement
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Many of our students have struggled in past academic settings due to difficulty processing information, maintaining focus, or keeping up with expectations. Some may have undiagnosed or under-supported learning differences, including ASD Level 1, that have contributed to low confidence and school-related anxiety. By adjusting teaching strategies, incorporating multi-sensory learning, and creating achievable academic goals, we help students rebuild their self-esteem as learners.
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School has often been a negative experience for the students who come to Del Rio Academy. Some have faced repeated academic failure, social struggles, or feelings of being misunderstood, leading them to avoid schoolwork or disengage entirely. We focus on re-establishing a sense of safety in the learning process, using relationship-based teaching, hands-on experiences, and individualized academic plans to make learning feel approachable again.
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For students who experience social communication challenges, including those with ASD Level 1, the school environment can be overwhelming. They may struggle with group work, classroom interactions, or peer relationships, leading to avoidance or disruptive behaviors. Our program helps students navigate social dynamics through structured, small-group learning and embedded social skill development, fostering a sense of connection and confidence in academic settings.
To support this, we integrate:
Peer-mediated group interventions that foster social connection and collaboration
Somatosensory therapy techniques to support classroom participation and fine motor skills
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Many students who have had difficulty in traditional classrooms thrive on predictability and routine. However, unexpected changes, new academic challenges, or shifts in schedules can lead to stress and shutdowns. Students with ASD Level 1 may especially struggle with flexibility and unexpected changes. Del Rio Academy incorporates consistent structure, visual supports, and guided transitions to help students adapt to change with greater confidence.
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Repeated struggles in school can lead students to develop a fear of failure, avoidance of difficult tasks, or a belief that they are "not smart." Instead of pushing through frustration, they may shut down, become distracted, or avoid assignments altogether. By focusing on strengths, celebrating progress, and incorporating hands-on learning, we help students build resilience and regain a sense of capability in their academics.
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Del Rio Academy is designed to meet students where they are—academically, emotionally, and developmentally. Through individualized instruction, a low-stress learning environment, and integration with Sandhill Center’s therapeutic support, we help students move beyond past academic struggles and rediscover a love of learning.
