Programs at New Mexico School for the Deaf « Back to Schools About New Mexico School for the Deaf While the New Mexico Legislature officially established the New Mexico School for the Deaf in 1887, it was deaf pioneer Lars Larson who first planted the school’s historic roots. In 1885, using their own funds, Lars and his wife Belle began teaching deaf students in a small adobe house in Santa Fe. The deaf couple dreamed of establishing a permanent school where none had existed, a place where deaf and hard of hearing children could receive a quality education comparable to that of hearing children. This dream soon became a reality, and the New Mexico School for the Deaf has been making a difference in the lives of deaf children and their families ever since. NMSD also has the distinction of being the only land grant school for the deaf in the country. Today, we continue to honor Lars Larson’s legacy by providing comprehensive and accessible educational and support services to deaf and hard of hearing children and youth between the ages of birth to 21 from all over the state of New Mexico. While many are enrolled at our historic Santa Fe campus, we also offer extensive Early Childhood services through our satellite preschools located in Albuquerque, Farmington and Las Cruces and through a variety of outreach programs. NMSD supports deaf and hard of hearing students and their families throughout the state through its Early Intervention and Involvement Division, which includes the Parent-Infant-Child and Deaf Mentor Programs, and through its Center for Educational Consultation and Training. Any child or youth who resides in New Mexico and has a diagnosed hearing loss can be considered for school enrollment. Students from New Mexico attend free of charge. Children and youth who are enrolled in public school programs, their families and their educational teams, are eligible for outreach services.