Our mission: Dawson School is dedicated to excellence of mind, body, and character.
We prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning,
to become creative, resilient problem-solvers who bring their best to the world.

Summer

Dawson Summer Initiative

May 8, 2020

Dear Dawson Summer Initiative Scholars and Families,

We hope that you are staying healthy during this time, and would like to provide an update regarding Dawson Summer Initiative since our April posting. The health and safety of the Dawson community are our top priority, and all decisions are made with that in mind.

We are thrilled to be able to offer a two-week online opportunity for the scholars in the Thematic and Leadership sessions thanks to the generosity and continued support of the Alexander Dawson Foundation.

Dates:

Leadership 2020: June 1-June 11

Thematic Session: One Planet 2020: June 8-June 19

We will communicate further details with our scholar families via email. Thank you for your continued patience and support throughout this uncertain time. Please take good care.

Dawson Summer Initiative (DSI) is a unique, tuition-free program that provides enriching, intellectual opportunities for high-achieving public middle school students from Boulder County and surrounding areas. Enrolled students (“scholars”) are given the knowledge, tools and flexibility to pursue real-world concepts, projects, and ideas. We strive to make DSI a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive environment where every scholar's voice is heard and respected.

THEMATIC SESSION

During the summer, scholars have the opportunity to work with similarly motivated and like-minded peers on the beautiful Alexander Dawson School campus in Lafayette, Colorado. The thematic five-week summer session allows students from over 30 different schools the time and space to focus on one central issue, and to work with leaders in the field to develop pertinent solutions. In past summers, scholars have explored themes including Water, Epidemic, Energy, Food, Climate, the Digital Revolution, Transportation, Innovation, Making a Fresh Start, Information, and Adaptation.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY (coming soon)

LEADERSHIP SESSION

Those who successfully complete the previous summer’s thematic session may then attend a two-week leadership session the following summer.

ACADEMIC ADVISORY

Scholars who have successfully completed one or both of the Dawson Summer Initiative (DSI) summer sessions will have access to academic advising by DSI staff all the way through high school. Reviewing course selections and school options, identifying additional enrichment opportunities, and preparing for college are resources available to scholars and their families.

Friendship Through Collaboration

One of the greatest benefits of Dawson Summer Initiative is that a cohort of students with similar interests and academic drive come together to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. Many families say that friendships formed during the program last long beyond the summer months.