The APNMI education program started in 1994 with Mother-Child classes held in a local church and then in a private home. The program gradually expanded until funding became available to pay a teacher. “La Gaviota” was legally registered as a private school for children with disabilities in 1999 and now has an enrollment of between 40 and 50 children and approximately 35 adults. Children are accepted from birth and many remain the rest of their lives. The school is staffed by a director and four salaried teachers and functions well because the children’s mothers are required to attend school with their children. The mothers help with cleaning the building, preparing the daily school lunch, volunteering during medical clinics, and driving the school vans. A licensed physical therapist teaches the mothers the exercises their children require and supervises them as they participate in daily therapy sessions. There are no tuition charges. School hours are set so the mothers are home when their other children are out of class. If there are pre-school aged siblings in the home, they attend La Gaviota also and help provide an integrated environment for the students. Transportation is provided for the children and their mothers through the use of donated vehicles. The school runs year-round but the summer schedule involves the children’s siblings and includes outings and field trips.

Continuing education classes are held at the clinic and are provided for the mothers during school hours. The courses include basic primary and secondary education, parenting classes, early intervention classes, and a morals and values class. Most of the courses’ teachers and materials are furnished through government programs or a foundation that provides material for parents of children with disabilities. There are no fees charged for the courses.