The New America School curriculum follows New Mexico state standards. All teachers, including those in a content area subject such as math, provide instruction in content-related terms and language structure as well as work in listening, speaking, writing, reading and analyzing texts.

"Scaffolded" learning, in which teachers build on concepts to reinforce them in several different ways, works well for English language learners. Success does not depend on the teacher's knowledge of the student's native language. Examples of scaffolding:

• Some resources such as textbooks and other written materials contain the same information as those in conventional classrooms, but they are written in simpler and more direct language or supported by teacher-produced annotations.
• There is considerable reliance on a variety of methods to deliver information. A teacher may explain an idea in English and then use several methods to convey the same information: For example, the teacher may act out the information or use illustrations.
• Continual student-teacher interaction is essential to ensure learning. It may involve discussions, student oral summaries of the information, and continuing student self-diagnosis of gaps in understanding.
• In every lesson, teachers communicate and reinforce English through listening, speaking, reading and writing.