The Dawson School: Cultivating Excellence in Mind, Body, and Character

When families relocate to Boulder, Colorado, one of their first considerations is education. Dawson School stands out as a K-12 college-preparatory institution committed to fostering excellence in its students' intellectual, physical, and ethical development. Dawson challenges students to achieve excellence of mind, body, and character through a rigorous college-preparatory program. Dawson students are known throughout the college world for being articulate, driven, confident, principled problem solvers.

The Dawson Difference: A Holistic Approach

Dawson's mission is to prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem-solvers who bring their best to the world. The school emphasizes four core virtues: respect, compassion, courage, and integrity, integrating these values into every aspect of community life. Dawson is committed to the development of character. We foster this personal growth with focus on these four adopted virtues as points of emphasis: respect, compassion, courage, and integrity.

Individualized Attention and Supportive Community

One of the hallmarks of Dawson School is its commitment to knowing and nurturing each student on an individual level. With small class sizes and a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students receive the attention they need. This individual attention, division-specific counselors and learning specialists ensure students receive the attention they need. The school's faculty is highly experienced, with 70% holding advanced degrees and an 88% faculty retention rate. Our teachers and their desire to know and nurture each student on an individual level. Our teachers are tenured, and we have an 88% faculty retention, so students are surrounded by familiar faces year after year.

The sense of community at Dawson is palpable. As one reviewer noted, "within the first couple days, I felt like I had found my home." Students describe the environment as welcoming and inclusive, where they feel comfortable trying new activities and exploring their interests. The school encourages and require students to try a bit of everything. Dawson feels like a small college campus from the minute you enter and wind your way to our main campus. We work hard to make your experience feel familiar and warm from the minute you get here.

Experiential Learning and Unique Programs

Experiential learning is central to the Dawson approach, with hands-on projects that prepare students not just for college, but for life. The school offers a variety of programs designed to engage students and broaden their horizons: Experiential learning programs; ropes courses, field trips, Winterim, maker labs, and more are provided at every grade level.

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Winterim Program: Week-long immersive learning experiences, including international travel for older students. Our annual Winterim program is an additional cost based on the trip selected.
EntreX Lab: A dual-enrollment business program for college credit.
Advanced Arts Programs: Allowing students to progress in theatre, music, and visual arts as they expand their skills and interest.
Athletics: Dawson School offers 11 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Cycling, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball.

Commitment to Safety and Security

Dawson prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students. The campus is surrounded by 700-acres of open space with a single entrance to the campus. A full-time Safety & Security team, comprised of former Boulder County Deputies, ensures multiple officers are on-site during the school day as well as during athletic and after-hours events. There is limited access to buildings, and surveillance cameras throughout campus. Our Director of Safety and Security works closely with trustees and the leadership team to ensure technology, procedures, and policy leverage best practices and that we are always reviewing security proactively.

Academics at Dawson: From Lower School to Upper School

Dawson School's curriculum is designed to challenge students and prepare them for success in college and beyond.

Lower School (Kindergarten - 5th Grade)

The Lower School curriculum includes technology, PE, Spanish, library, social emotional learning, and music specials. Homework is considered a building block for strengthening the work done in Lower School. Beginning in kindergarten, homework is part of a Dawson student's daily plan. Homework should not become a family burden or responsibility. In general, students are given homework assignments to provide follow-up, reinforcement, enrichment, and continuity in the context of the overall curriculum plan. Due to the differences in students' study habits, abilities, and assignments, it is very difficult to state the exact amount of time that should be spent on homework. The following is a very general guideline of expectations:

Kindergarten: 10 minutes per night
Grade 1: 10-15 minutes per night
Grade 2: 20 minutes per night
Grade 3: 30 minutes per night
Grade 4: 40 minutes per night
Grade 5: 50 minutes per night

We strive to make our homework meaningful and relevant to our students. Students have several opportunities to get outside on campus. Lower School has PE twice a week for 45 minutes as part of their Specials rotation.

Middle and Upper School

Dawson offers a robust AP program. We prefer AP courses to an IB program because it offers college-level work and the rigor colleges seek but allows students to take a variety of classes and try new things. This flexibility keeps students engaged and reduces burnout. Upper School provides required college counseling courses in 11th- and 12th-grade.

Dawson requires that its students conduct themselves in the best interest of the community. The School encourages observance of its virtues as the foundation of a healthy community and expects all of its students to adhere to high standards of conduct.

Tuition and Financial Assistance

Tuition at Dawson School is $34,056 per year. This comprehensive tuition covers instruction, arts, athletics, physical education, field trips, class trips, lunches, and after-school care for lower school students. Middle and high school students have additional costs for books ($350-$500/year) and the optional Winterim travel program ($1,000-$3,500+ depending on destination).

Dawson is committed to providing need-based tuition assistance each year to new and returning families. We understand that a Dawson education is a significant investment, and the mission behind the tuition assistance program is to give families, regardless of their ability to pay, the opportunity to attend. Dawson understands that a Dawson education is a significant investment, and the mission behind the tuition assistance program is to give families, regardless of their ability to pay, the opportunity to attend. Because the money allocated to families is not a loan, we do not ask for repayment.

The Tuition Assistance Program

Dawson partners with Clarity Financial Aid. Families can apply for financial assistance starting mid-November directly through Clarity's financial aid platform. Dawson awarded nearly $2,000,000 in aid across 81 students, with the average award being around $20,000. Dawson's Tuition Assistance program creates opportunities for students from various economic backgrounds to experience the value of a Dawson education. The Tuition Assistance program is a need-based program. Dawson does not offer merit or athletic scholarships.

The tuition assistance program at Dawson School is guided by the belief that parents have an obligation to pay the educational expenses of their children to the extent that they are able. A tuition assistance budget exists to fill the gap between the actual cost of tuition and what a family can realistically be expected to pay toward this cost. It is the position of the school that divorced, separated, or non-married parents retain the obligation to contribute to the education of their children.

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Applying for Tuition Assistance

Families can begin the Clarity application process beginning in November. Clarity's application will request relevant financial documents such as Tax Returns, W2s, 1099s, pay stubs, and other relevant financial records. Dawson begins processing and allocating new tuition assistance applications in February and will allocate tuition assistance until the budget is exhausted. The tuition assistance application process is separate from the admissions process, and the need for assistance is not a factor in the admissions review and decision.

Several factors, including family income, assets, liabilities, the size of the family, the age of the parents, provisions for retirement, and extraordinary expenses must be considered when evaluating the familyâs financial strength and the ability to contribute to educational expenses. While qualification for tuition assistance is based on all of the factors described above, the most important component of the needs analysis system is family income. The system seeks to treat all families equitably, taking into consideration differences in certain family circumstances that may be beyond its control. There is a distinction made between family expenditures that are made by choice and those of an obligatory nature.

All awards will not be considered final until Clarity receives a copy of the IRS Form 1040 (together with all schedules attached to the form), from the parents of the recipient. The Tuition Assistance Committee will review the tax information and has the right to make adjustments of awards after contacting the parents involved.

Admission and Enrollment

Dawson has rolling admissions, however, applications for the following school year open in October. We recommend families solicit the necessary recommendations and supporting documents throughout November and December of the prior year they wish to attend. Admission decisions are made without consideration of the financial circumstances of the applicant. After the Admission Committee has reached its decisions, the Tuition Assistance Committee makes grants to admitted students who have submitted tuition assistance applications and have demonstrated need. While Dawson tries to meet the demonstrated need of most newly admitted students, it is possible to be admitted to Dawson but denied tuition assistance. In these cases, applicants are placed on our tuition assistance waiting list.

Families have nothing to lose but the time it takes to complete the online application and the nominal application fee required by Clarity, so unless you are reasonably sure you will not qualify, you are welcome to apply. If you are unsure about whether to apply, please contact Admissions for further information. In a typical year, the number of qualified candidates for tuition assistance is greater than the amount of tuition assistance that we have available. As a result, it is possible to be offered admission to Dawson School but be denied tuition assistance because of a lack of available funds.

A Thriving Community

Dawson boasts some of the nicest student facilities in Boulder County and the co-curricular program is fortunate to use them. With the assistance of a full-time athletic trainer, student-athletes train and compete on four different soccer fields, two lacrosse fields, two baseball diamonds, two gymnasiums, six tennis courts, cyclocross and cross-country courses and a complete weight room, all of which are often in demand and appreciated by off campus organizations, as well.

Tours include our students; new families are welcomed with a summer reception and are paired with parent and student ambassadors who help them get acquainted. We are a Niche Best School's winner, most recently being named a top school for both private and STEM education.

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