Student Services

As reflected in our Diversity Statement and Core Values, Dawson celebrates neurodiversity and recognizes that each student learns differently. Dawson's student body reflects a variety of learning styles, including children with diagnosed learning differences.

Referral Process
The referral process begins when a teacher or family contacts the Dean of Student Services for an internal assessment. Support for students follows a multidisciplinary approach that includes classroom observations, assessments, and work sample reviews. Students may be referred for a neuropsychological evaluation or speech or occupational therapy services. Dawson provides referrals to community providers.

Based on the assessment and classroom observation data, Dawson's Learning Strategists work alongside teachers and families to create student academic interventions and accommodation plans. We also provide on-campus options for speech or occupational therapy, referrals to community providers, and resources for clinical educational evaluations.

Dawson's learning support model provides students in first through eighth grades with academic intervention and enrichment. Using data to respond to individual student needs, Dawson's expertly-trained Learning Support Team faculty work with students 1:1, in small groups, and as co-teachers in the classroom to support students throughout the school day.

Dawson provides two Learning Lab options for students in need of specialized support. Our Language Lab program includes additional reading, writing, and word study instruction for students in first through eighth grades.

Middle School students who need executive functioning support may join our Student Success Lab to build essential skills such as time management, task initiation, and long-term planning. 

Both labs take place during the world language block to ensure students receive the instruction they need during the school day.

Dawson's Student Services includes a supportive and robust school counseling program. There are two full-time school counselors on campus: one for Early Childhood and Lower School (grades K-4) and one for Middle School (grades 5-8). The counselors are available for all students in 1:1 or small-group conversations. They also facilitate whole-group lessons in the classroom in partnership with homeroom teachers.

All Middle School students (grades 5-8) participate in instructional periods called “What I Need” (WIN) several times during the seven-day DAWSON cycle. WIN is targeted instructional time outside of the core academic blocks designed to meet the needs of all learners. Students are placed in data-informed, fluid groupings adjusted throughout the year based on student needs. Lessons target literacy and math skills that enrich the content and instruction provided during core subject classes.