Welcome to the Dawson family! We're excited that your family has decided to join us at The Alexander Dawson School. Here you will find important information, links and resources to help simplify the process.
Nurse's Corner: Required Forms & Information
In June 2024, all Dawson families will receive the updated list of required forms and documents required for the 2024-2025 school year.
For details about immunization requirements, annual physicals, and medication forms for the current school year, please visit the Nurse's Corner.
For details about immunization requirements, annual physicals, and medication forms for the current school year, please visit the Nurse's Corner.
General Information
List of 7 items.
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Campus Safety
- Carpool signs are required to enter campus and must remain visible at all times while on school grounds. Carpool signs will be distributed at orientation in August.
- Please observe the speed limit on campus of 15 MPH.
- To visit campus outside of drop off or pick up times, enter via the main front gate on Desert Inn Road
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Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures
- View the Drop-Off & Pick-Up Map here.
- Watch the Morning Carpool Drop-Off Directions video here.
Morning Drop-Off - Before-Care starts at 7 a.m. in the Library.
- K-8 morning drop-off starts at 7:50 a.m. and school starts at 8:15 a.m.
- K-8 students who arrive after 8:15 a.m. must sign-in in the Lobby.
- EC morning drop-off starts at 8 a.m. and school starts at 8:45 a.m.
- For EC-4 drop-off: cars should enter campus through the back gate off of Garden Park Drive
- For 5-8 drop-off: cars should enter campus through the main gate off of West Desert Inn Road
- For families with students in multiple divisions, children can be dropped off together at the youngest child's division for both drop off and pick up.
Afternoon Pick-Up- School is dismissed and afternoon carpool begins at 3:15 p.m.
- If your child is not picked up by 3:40 p.m., they will be safely escorted to after-care.
Entry During School Hours:- To visit campus outside of drop off or pick up times, enter through the main gate on West Desert Inn Road
- View the Drop-Off & Pick-Up Map here.
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Before-School & After-School Experiences
BASE Camp
BASE Camp is offered each morning and afternoon of regularly scheduled school days and registration is required.- Before-Care features a relaxing and supportive early start to the day. Before-school service begins at 7 a.m.
- After-Care features structured recreation, socializing, and quiet time. After-school services begin at 3:30 p.m. for early childhood and 3:45 p.m. for K-8. After-school services end at 6 p.m.
Dawson's BASE Program is a child-centered environment focused on the development of social responsibility, intellectual curiosity, self-esteem, and discovery of new passions. We offer a variety of activities, from leading-edge experiential learning programs to athletics, art experiences, and technology explorations.
BASE Enrichment classes are offered each quarter and registration is required. -
SAGE Dining Lunch Menus
We know that healthy minds and healthy bodies work in tandem, so providing high-quality and delicious food choices is a priority. Research shows that improved nutrition in schools leads to increased focus and attention, improved test scores and better classroom behavior. Nutritious food options encourage lifelong healthy eating habits.
We use SAGE Dining Services to provide healthy snacks and meals for our students. Click here to explore our lunch menus. -
School Uniforms and Bear Wear
- New Dawson Uniforms: Dawson uniforms can be purchased directly from Dennis Uniform or at the local store located at 5275 S Arville St Ste B124, Las Vegas, NV 89118.
- Bear Wear: Every Friday is Bear Wear Day, an opportunity for students to show school pride and an essential way to support the Dawson Parent Association. On Bear Wear Fridays, students may wear a Bear Wear top with either Bear Wear bottoms or Dawson uniform-approved bottoms.
- Spirit Days: The School also has several Spirit Days throughout the year when students may wear a Bear Wear top with either Bear Wear bottoms, jeans or uniform-approved bottoms.
- How to Purchase Bear Wear: Bear Wear is available via the Gear Up By Design website and will not be available to purchase on campus. Most items come in multiple colors and can also be personalized with different logos, glitter, rhinestones, names, and numbers. Please be aware that Bear Wear orders from Gear Up By Design will take two to three weeks and can be shipped directly to your house (for an additional fee) or sent to the school for pick up (at no charge).
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Dawson's Student & Family Guide
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Early Childhood Bathroom Policy
Due to Dawson’s childcare licensure, all students entering the School’s Early Childhood program must be completely toilet-trained by the first day of school:- Students must wear underwear all day and stay dry through rest time/naps (no pull-ups or diapers)
- Students must know when to use the restroom without being prompted
- Students must be able to handle all toileting needs independently
For Dawson Parents
List of 3 items.
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Dawson Parent Association
Dawson parents are critical to the life and community of the School. The relationship between parents and the School is one of reciprocity: Dawson provides services and communications; in turn, the School often relies on upon enthusiastic parents to volunteer their time and talents.
Throughout the school year, the Dawson Parent Association organizes and hosts several community-building events, which rely solely on parent volunteers. The proceeds of these events are used to fund important educational and recognition initiatives at the school.
Volunteer opportunities will be shared at orientation. For a list of Parent Association-sponsored community events and initiatives, click here. -
Parent Education Piece
At the heart of The Alexander Dawson School is the wonderfully warm and caring relationship formed between teachers and parents as they become powerful educational partners.
The goal of the Parent Education Piece series is to provide a glimpse into the intentional instructional practices we use and the research behind our curriculum selections.
Together, we help children express their own ideas, giving them the tools to build skills and navigate new learning possibilities. For more information about the Parent Education Piece, click here. -
Parent University Series
Although families are the primary educators of their children, student achievement throughout life is increased when the School and families work together as partners.
In conjunction with the Parent Association Executive Committee, The Alexander Dawson School hosts and facilitates Parent University workshops to provide current research in parenting and child development. For more information about Parent University, click here.
Middle School Electives
Browse the Fall 2025 Electives for grades 5-8.
MyDawson & Canvas
MyDawson is our parent portal and student information system. It will be your main resource for accessing school calendars, news and updates, the resource board, and other important details about your student. As a new family, you will receive your MyDawson login information in the summer or upon enrollment for those entering mid-year.
Canvas is our learning management system. It is your K-8 student's one-stop-shop for their assignments, lessons, and classroom-related information.
Canvas is our learning management system. It is your K-8 student's one-stop-shop for their assignments, lessons, and classroom-related information.
The Alexander Dawson School
The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain, an independent school located on 33-acres in the community of Summerlin, is Nevada’s first Stanford University Challenge Success partner school for students in early childhood through grade eight. Utilizing the unique Challenge Success framework, Dawson uses research-based strategies and programs that emphasize student academics, wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance to create more engaged, motivated, and resilient learners and leaders. At Dawson, students achieve their individual potential while savoring life and meeting the challenges of the world.