Strategic Direction

Summit Statement

Dawson pushes the thinking about the boundaries of education. Every year, every student will engage with local experts to create, innovate, and implement solutions for root problems in the service of making the world a better place to learn, work, and live. By eighth grade, our students will be equipped to pitch a G.B. Henderson Changemaker project that takes action towards a local or global issue.

Strategic Direction Goals

Core of Excellence

The Alexander Dawson School will emerge as a modern learning community that is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Challenge Success and is known for community connections and personalized learning.

GOAL 1

Strengthen cohesion and consistency among Dawson’s curriculum and instruction, both horizontally throughout all teaching teams and vertically among departments and grade levels.

GOAL 2

Elevate communication about student performance and provide ongoing education about Dawson’s intentional programs and practices as a beacon for modern learning.

GOAL 3

Use data and student work to personalize instruction and meet students’ developmental needs.

Culture of Sustainability

The Alexander Dawson School will develop a multi-year financial plan that ensures continued excellence in the areas of facilities utilization, enrollment retention, development, and professional growth.

GOAL 1

Sustain and refine an organizational framework that supports distributive leadership, succession planning, clarity of roles, and leadership development to increase productivity and efficiency.

GOAL 2

Explore and implement forward-thinking strategies to attract and retain dynamic leaders and a high-functioning workforce.

GOAL 3

Develop a concrete, tactical, and visionary plan for advancement to help fund and actualize both the School’s Mission and program as well as future strategic initiatives.

GOAL 4

Develop and market Dawson’s centers of excellence to increase brand recognition and seek new revenue streams.

Community of Safety

The Alexander Dawson School will be proactive in identifying and responding to modern threats of safety in our community.

GOAL 1

Proactively identify and respond to the modern threats related to our community’s physical safety.

GOAL 2

Proactively identify and respond to the modern threats related to our community’s cybersecurity and virtual safety.

GOAL 3

Proactively identify and respond to the modern threats related to our community’s emotional safety and wellness.

GOAL 4

Proactively identify and respond to the modern threats related to student boundaries and sexual misconduct.

Climate of Care

Alexander Dawson will support its aspirations to create an inclusive community that cultivates cultural competency and prepares our students for future success in a global environment.

GOAL 1

Build community knowledge base, awareness, and programs that cultivate relationships and ensure a sense of belonging for everyone affiliated with or visiting the Dawson community.

GOAL 2

Utilize data to evaluate the alignment of policies, systems, events and traditions with Dawson’s Diversity Statement.

GOAL 3

Develop relevant and inclusive curriculum that cultivates global competencies through the exploration of diverse perspectives, anti-bias language, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

GOAL 4

Reinforce an environment that prioritizes physical health, mental wellness, and balanced living as a foundation for lifelong success and happiness.

Commitment to Innovation

The Alexander Dawson School will provide students, faculty, and families with the skills, resources, and experiences to continue personal growth and to ensure success in an increasingly complex and connected world.

GOAL 1

Establish Dawson as a leader in real-world engagement and unique programs that are responsive and adaptive to the evolving needs of students and society.

GOAL 2

Implement creative strategies for talent acquisition, faculty retention, development and evaluation that support transformative change and modern learning.

GOAL 3

Reimagine campus spaces to promote opportunities for collaboration, design thinking, and student agency.

GOAL 4

Ensure purpose and service become a cornerstone of the Dawson experience by providing students real-world experiences, authentic issues, and community connections.