Meet Avery from New Way Academy

November 28, 2023

Meet Avery Dilworth, an 8th grader attending her first year at New Way Academy in Phoenix. The family and Avery shared their story with us, highlighting Avery’s condition and explaining how an academic home at New Way has meant much more to them than just being enrolled in school. The Arizona Leadership Foundation is pleased to share their story with you in their own words and show you why the family felt that school choice is a powerful tool for students like Avery.

From Avery and the Dilworth Family:
Normal looks very different in our family. When our oldest child, Neva, was three she was diagnosed with autism. We were focused on looking for signs of Autism in each of our other children that we never saw Avery’s genetic disorder, Malonic Acidemia, coming. Normally our bodies take the food that we eat and either store it to be used during periods of fasting or convert it into fuel/energy. With Malonic Acidemia, Avery’s body is unable to do that with certain kinds of fats which are necessary in your diet and need to be metabolized. Avery is one of only a handful of people with her disorder to survive and only the third to be diagnosed and treated from birth.

In 2013 our family was interviewed by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL). In celebration of the 50th anniversary of newborn screening they were putting together a traveling display which would highlight a newborn screening success story from each state and Avery had been selected for the state of Utah (where she was born). Following the interview, we received a call from APHL where they explained that there would be a reception to kick-start the traveling display in Washington DC and they asked if we would be willing to meet with members of congress to share our story. The Newborn Screen Saves Lives Reauthorization Act was up for vote in both the House and Senate at the time and our job was to meet with members of congress, explain how dramatically newborn screening has changed our lives for the better, and encourage them to support and prioritize the bill. At Just four years old, Avery’s was taking a big first step towards learning about advocacy.

Avery has spent her entire life forging her own path and, while that can be rewarding, it also can be very isolating when doctors, therapies, and medication are a necessary way of life to a degree that not many people understand. Last year, after several years of struggling in school no matter how hard she tried, we discovered that Avery has several learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD.

Based on the diagnosis of Avery’s learning disabilities, there were a few things that drew us to New Way Academy. They seemed excited to meet us and ask questions and were genuinely interested in the answers. When Avery came for her first tour, they included her in the conversations and it was clear that they wanted to get to know her and that her thoughts and feelings were important. It was like someone was seeing for the first time that the traits that make Avery who she is were not just a long list of negatives that were working against her, but assets that could help her really shine with the right help. We were drawn to New Way’s core values. We have always felt that academics alone cannot possibly tell the whole story of who a person is. It mattered to us that New Way looks at the whole person and operates from a standpoint that things like being respectful, taking ownership, and being engaged in your own learning make a difference. 

Avery herself had a lot to tell ALF about her experience at New Way Academy and her other interests. “I like that the teachers are kind and caring and understanding. They will let me take breaks and they care about what I am feeling. When I feel frustrated, they will sit and help me through it and make it fun. You are not left out whether you are doing something big or small.” When asked about things she enjoys at school, Avery also told us that she likes English and reading the best. “I have a good imagination and it feels like I can go on the journey with the characters in my books. When I write I can just be me and I can follow my heart and not worry so much about other people’s opinions. This year I am doing cheer and participating with the youth group from my church where we get to do activities where we learn skills or do community service.  I also love baking because it’s messy and creative, additionally, I love swimming, drawing, and crafts.”

Eliana Mazel, Avery’s homeroom teacher at New Way Academy, had this to say about her, “Avery started New Way in the spring of 2023 and has been such a light in our community since her arrival. Avery is an exemplary student. She goes above and beyond to meet expectations, all while self-advocating. She is kind and supportive toward other students. Avery always wants to ensure other students are included. She is hilarious and loves to make everyone around her laugh. Anyone who gets to know her is so lucky to be in her light!”

The family also shared with us how much the scholarship from the Arizona Leadership means to them. “With two of our three children having special needs, the time, energy, and expense (both emotionally and financially) that goes in to meeting their needs and helping them reach their potential is staggering. Without opportunities like the ALF Scholarship or schools like New Way Academy our family would be stuck being the square peg in a round hole. I once heard someone say that if someone doesn’t fit into a box, you build a bigger box. That is what the ALF Scholarship means to our family, finally the chance to be in the right box.”

About New Way Academy:
New Way Academy is a private, non-profit school for students K-12 with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning disorders, and speech or language impairments.
Since 1968, New Way has been teaching children to embrace their learning challenges in order to thrive, using a student-centric approach to empower and prepare them for life beyond its doors. New Way offers a full-school experience with small class sizes to best meet students’ unique needs, robust social opportunities, and extracurricular activities including performing arts and athletics. Reading, speech, and occupational therapies are integrated into students’ daily schedules. Students at New Way graduate as confident and capable learners, ready for college or career.  Visit newwayacademy.org to learn more.