Dawson School Revenue and Competitors

Dawson School offers a varied extra-curricular and co-curricular program that compliments the rigourous college preperatory program. With a student newspaper, theater, band, chorus and many other choices, students will find numerous activities to choose from. Participation in student government begins in Lower School where teachers help students begin to learn about representative government through Town Council. Students are given greater responsibility in Middle School where elected representatives work with faculty supervisors who guide them in their decision making. In the Upper School, students elect class representatives and school officers to Town Council that deals with social and policy issues. Student representatives are also elected to conduct committee, a faculty advised peer disciplinary group. At Dawson, the arts are as fundamental as science and language to the development of perception and communication. Dawson students develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, expression, and creativity as they involve themselves in artistic pursuits. Visual arts and music are integral parts of the program beginning in kindergarten; theater is added beginning in sixth grade. The arts at Dawson are essential to the complete education of each student - not simply an "extra."Music opportunities include chorus, instrumental ensembles and music theory. Performing arts opportunities are offered in dance, acting, theater production, and technical theater. Winterim is a week long opportunity in March for Dawson students to try something completely different. Students participate in hands-on activities that help them see themselves and others in a new light. Winterim is integrated into the Dawson curriculum, but the goal is not just the academic knowledge gained: a key goal is the personal growth that happens when students and faculty explore a topic together outside the usual time-and-space boundaries of school. Physical activities and athletics play a role in the well-rounded education of Dawson students beginning in Lower School. Middle school students build on movement education and athletic preparation and learn sports rules and develop sportsmanship Students can begin to play interscholastic athletics in sixth grade. In Upper School, participation in team sports is an essential part of the Dawson experience. Students can choose what level of competition they want since participation and inclusion are the foundation of the program. Upper School students publish "The Mirror", the student newspaper, each month throughout the school year. They write articles, take photographs and edit all content under the direction of a faculty advisor. All students in grades K-12 have the opportunity to be a part of age-appropriate community service projects that may be organized by individuals, groups or the Dawson community service program. Many are open to students, parents and family members, as well as faculty and staff. One may participate as an individual, small group, class or school. Projects vary from year to year and range from fundraising and collection drives, to volunteer labor for meal serving, clothing collection drives, food sorting, and art projects.