Our History
A History of Creating the Future
Dawson School was built on a simple but enduring belief: education should prepare students not just for college, but for life.
Since opening in 1970, we’ve grown from a small, mission-driven program into one of Colorado’s premier K–12 college-preparatory schools, adapting to a changing world without losing our passion for hands-on learning, human connection, and purpose.
The Evolution of an Icon
Jerry Henderson had been a car dealer, an aviator, and a very successful entrepreneur. In 1967 he established the Colorado Junior Republic School as a way to support underprivileged youths in the community he loved.
In 1970, the school moved to Lafayette, Colorado. “Citizens" would attend class, work the farm, prepare meals, build structures, run programs, and even fly airplanes. The school’s early motto, “Nothing Without Labor,” reflected a belief that education should be connected to effort.
In 1980, the school changed its name to the Alexander Dawson School in honor of Henderson's father. He imagined a progressive place where students would:
- Learn with their hands and their minds
- Develop grit through real responsibility
- Build empathy by learning in the community
- Gain the confidence to turn ideas into action
A Campus Built for Belonging
Today, we serve students from kindergarten through grade 12. Our idyllic 107-acre campus is an oasis designed to support curiosity, focus, and connection.
College placement matters here, but it’s not the only measure of success. It’s the result of something deeper: a legacy of students who graduate with confidence, adaptability, empathy, and purpose.
