Manos Unidas founded its first project, Centro de Educacion Basica Especial Particular "Camino Nuevo"on March 3, 2009. Camino Nuevo is the first private educational facility in Cusco, recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Education with R.D. 2591 to serve children and young adults with special needs.
With a professional staff of 22 members, the school serves approximately 70 children 3-24 years of age who are directly affected by an intellectual disability. We work directly with dedicated families from all income levels who are interested in improving the academic, behavioral and social skills or their children.
Camino Nuevo functions as an isolated education center with an inclusive focus. Our goal is to prepare students as able to be included into a regular education setting.
With a professional staff of 22 members, the school serves approximately 70 children 3-24 years of age who are directly affected by an intellectual disability. We work directly with dedicated families from all income levels who are interested in improving the academic, behavioral and social skills or their children.
Camino Nuevo functions as an isolated education center with an inclusive focus. Our goal is to prepare students as able to be included into a regular education setting.
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| Liz loves Profe Luz's circle time song! |
Each child receives an individual assessment of: language and communication skills, social and play skills, motor skills, reading, writing and math skills upon entry to the school. The assessment helps us design an individualized work plan specific to the child's most urgent needs and incorporates their goals within the general academic plan.
Students are placed in morning or afternoon classrooms based on age and level of ability. Our average student to teacher ratio is 6 :2 which helps us maintain the quality of individualized learning. Currently Camino Nuevo operates 11 classrooms between both sessions.
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| Public 1st grade classroom with 3 included CN students |
Camino Nuevo operates on a sliding scale tuition system. Tuition rates are based on approximate income per family with a one time registration fee and minimal school supplies requirement. The most important requirement for all income levels is parent participation in their students education.
Classes and Programs
- Education for children with significant disabilities: alternative communication, physical therapy, social activities and life skills
- Early education (3-7 years): providing personalized education in small group settings with individual work times programmed throughout the day
- Autism education: Providing education specific to the needs of children with autism through individualized teaching (ABA), classroom routines (TEACCH) and emphasis on language and social skill development
- Elementary education (7-12 years): providing personalized education in small group settings with an emphasis on mathematics, reading and writing
- Inclusive Education (5-12 years): working within regular education schools on curriculum adaptation, co-teaching, peer coaching and teacher training
- Youth and young adult education (13-24 years): Functional Academics, Independent Life skills, inclusive vocational and ocupational education, community inclusion and artistic workshops
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| Parent group in CN classroom for significant disabilities |
