By Krista Northcutt, Director of Admissions
At New Way Academy, our students don’t all fit one mold — and that’s exactly the point.
I have had the privilege of working at New Way Academy for the past nine years. Five years into my teaching career in public school classrooms, I found myself searching for something different. Like many of our families, I had no idea a simple Google search for “special education schools in Arizona” could find me exactly that.
In my time at New Way, I have worn many hats, starting as a Lower School teacher, advising students through our Connect@Home virtual learning program, developing our therapy integration model, and most recently, assisting families through our application process as Director of Admissions. It gives me great pleasure to be able to support families who all have one thing in common: they want their child to be seen.
A New Way student is bright, capable, and full of potential. They’re curious and want to learn, but the traditional school setting hasn’t always worked for them. Maybe reading, writing, or math has been a struggle. Maybe they’ve found it hard to stay organized, keep up with assignments, or feel confident in class. Whatever the challenge, they’re ready for a school that truly understands how they learn best. They are ready to let down their guard, accept help, and learn to trust in their own capabilities again.
Learning Looks Different Here
At New Way, we work exclusively with students who have diagnosed language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences. Some students may also have ADHD, anxiety, or Autism Spectrum Disorder in addition to their academic needs. Many students come to New Way in search of acceptance and desire to be understood.
Our staff are specifically trained by experienced administrators on best practices in special education. That might mean using multisensory instruction, breaking lessons into smaller steps, slowing down the pace of instruction or building in movement breaks and hands-on activities. With small class sizes, individualized ability-based groupings, and a team that includes teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and counselors, every student gets the support they need to succeed.
More Than Just Academics
At New Way, students aren’t defined by their learning differences, they’re defined by their growth. Our campus is full of chances to explore interests beyond the classroom as well: art, athletics, drama, leadership, community service, and more. We are proud to offer robust extracurricular opportunities for students to build friendships and develop new skills in a low pressure environment.
Preparing for What’s Next
Whether a student is just starting in elementary school or preparing to graduate from high school, New Way helps them look ahead. Through transition planning, seminar electives, and real-world learning experiences, students gain the skills and self-awareness they’ll need for college, career, and beyond.
At the end of the day, a New Way student is someone who learns differently and thrives because of it. Because at New Way Academy, we believe every student deserves the chance to learn in a “new way” their way.
