New Way Learning Academy

1. What is a learning disability?

2. How do I know if my child might have a learning disability?

3. How much is tuition?

4. Does New Way offer scholarships or financial aid?

5. What is the admission process?

6. How long do students stay at New Way?

7. Does New Way offer transition services?

8. What are the discipline policies?

9. Is there a dress code?

1. What is a learning difference?

Twelve percent of the American population has some form of learning difference. People with learning differences have normal potential for learning. Their inability to achieve their potential may include a processing deficit in one or more of the following areas:

• reading, spelling, writing or math

• speech and language deficits
• auditory and visual processing
• gross and/or fine motor difficulties
• ineffective social skills
• dyslexia

2. How do I know if my child might have a learning difference?

The dyslexic student is a child with average or above average intelligence who may have unusual difficulty with any or all three areas of reading, spelling, and handwriting, but who may also have strengths or talents in other areas, such as math, sports, or mechanics. Many times the dyslexic student exhibits highly creative thinking abilities, while performing poorly on written language tasks.

Dyslexic students and children who suffer from other learning differences may exhibit any number of traits that require alternative instructional strategies for learning, reading, spelling, and handwriting skills. A comprehensive evaluation is usually needed.

  3. How much is tuition?

The 2009-2010 tuition cost at New Way is $18,750 annually and includes materials/ supplies, textbooks and graduation fee. Each new student must complete a diagnostic evaluation administered by the New Way Learning Academy Evaluation Team.  The cost for this service is covered in the program planning fee.

4. Does New Way offer scholarships or financial aid?

New Way Learning Academy values and seeks students from diverse economic backgrounds. The Board of Directors and the Financial Committee have made a strong commitment to assisting families who can not afford to send their child to New Way.

The amount of financial assistance awarded to each family is based on financial need, parental support and commitment to New Way Learning Academy, and availability of funds. Financial information received by New Way and information regarding financial assistance awards is considered confidential.

Financial assistance is limited to tuition only. Families receiving assistance are responsible for occasional limited expenses that may occur during the school year, including a testing fee if applicable.

5. What is the admission process? 

The admissions process begins with two steps:

* Parent(s) take an admissions tour of New Way Learning Academy.  The tours are held every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 8:30 - 9:30am. At the end of the tour you will receive a complete admissions packet.

* Parent submission of complete admissions packet (application, application fee, student case history form, teacher recommendation form, and permission form for release of all student records - available for download here) In addition, please provide copies of any current evaluations (psychoeducational, speech/language, and OT) that you may have.

Once these steps are completed and all required information is received, the Admissions Committee will review the information and determine whether the applicant should proceed to the final admissions process.

The final application process consists of two steps to be completed at the invitation of the Admissions Committee. These are:

*Parent meeting with the Head of School to discuss the student's school history and educational needs

*Student assignment to an appropriate homeroom for a two day campus visit

For students who are accepted, parents/guardians receive an enrollment packet with required enrollment forms and tuition contract. This packet must be completed and returned promptly to the New Way Learning Academy Admissions Office.

Once enrollment forms and fees are received by New Way Learning Academy, admitted students are enrolled. All newly admitted students participate in a program review period consisting of:

*Diagnostic evaluation/observation

*Program adjustment

*Evaluation of student’s educational needs in preparation for development of the student’s individual education program (IEP)

6. How long do students stay at New Way?

Most students stay at New Way for a minimum of three years depending on the specific needs of the individual. Many return to public school, others to private education, again depending on the needs of each student. New Way’s Lower School and Junior High School offers education services for grades 1 through 8. Our High School program offers opportunities for integration with public high schools and blended transition programming with community colleges and the East Valley Institute of Technology (E.V.I.T).

7. Does New Way offer transition services?

Students in grades 7-12 are provided transition services to fit their educational needs. Once a student leaves New Way, it is easy for him or her to "slip through the cracks" of today's educational and vocational systems. We offer trained personnel to help keep your child on track and to ensure the success of your child into adulthood. This includes attending initial and continuing IEP meetings with you as your child's advocate, communicating with your child's teachers, identifying areas of concern early in your child's new program, and working on social, academic, and organizational strategies begun at New Way. In addition, high school students are offered Career Exploration and Transition classes as part of their daily schedule.

We also understand that students in transition need to connect with friendly faces. These students also may need tutoring or academic therapy, a one-on-one approach to problem solving, strategy planning, and career counseling. To provide for these needs, we offer weekly meetings (or more frequently, if necessary) with your child to discuss strategy implementation, academic therapy/tutoring, self-advocacy strategies, regular meetings with former New Way students to share experiences, and career counseling.

8. What are the discipline policies?

The mission of New Way Learning Academy states that students will assume responsibility for their own actions with integrity and consideration of the needs of others. We also ensure students and staff a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. In order to accomplish this, students must adhere to the following rules: 

• Demonstrate respect for teachers, administrators, and fellow students.
• Use positive, appropriate language at all times.
• Never exhibit gang-related activity of any kind.
• Never use verbal or physical action that compromises another's safety or well-being.
• Refrain from public display of affection, i.e. kissing, hugging, petting.
• Never make arrangement to acquire, possess, or consume illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, or tobacco products either on campus or in transit to or from any school-sponsored activity.
• Never carry dangerous or deadly weapons on campus or at any school-sponsored event.
• Remain within campus boundaries at all times.
• Take care of school property.
• Attend school regularly except for excused absences.
• Arrive to school and class on time.
• Complete assignments and turn in homework on time.
• Tell the truth, never cheat, and never plagiarize.

Here, emphasis is placed on rewarding accomplishments and applauding successes. New Way staff does not use corporal punishment (spanking, swats). Students experience the natural and/or logical consequences of their behavior. Discipline is handled by teaching, not punishment. 

9. Is there a dress code?

New Way Learning Academy students are expected to adhere to the following dress code:

• No depiction of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, profanity, or items of "bad taste" on apparel.
• No gang-related apparel.
• All clothing must be modest.
• No cut-off or torn T-shirts.
• No tank tops.
• No bare midriffs.
• No unhemmed or cut-off pants or shorts.
• No holes in pants or shorts.
• No chains hanging from belts or pockets.
• No dangle-type earrings on boys.
• No visible body-piercing (excepted pierced ears).
• Pants and shorts must be worn with a belt or worn above the hips.
• Pants may not be excessively baggy.
• No display of underwear or boxers.
• No bandannas, berets, or caps worn sideways.
• No sunglasses inside the buildings.
• Shoes must protect feet, be age-appropriate, and be laced.
• Hair must be neat and clean.