Optimal Learning Environments

School Counseling & Student Academic Support Services

The school counseling and student academic support services programs exist to preserve the uniqueness of each student by providing education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes positive self-concept. The programs focus on the relationships and interactions between students and their school environment with the expressed purpose of reducing the effect of environmental and institutional barriers that impede student academic success. Dawson counselors and student support faculty serve as leaders as well as effective team members working with parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to help all students in Early Childhood through grade 8 develop skills in the areas of personal/social growth, educational planning, and career and vocational development. The school counselors and student support faculty also act as consultants to empower families to act on behalf of their children by helping parents/guardians identify student needs and shared interests, as well as access available resources.

We Believe...

  • All students have dignity and worth.
  • All students have the right to participate in the school counseling program.
  • All students’ cultural, racial, religious, sexual differences and individual needs are considered in planning and implementing the school counseling program.
  • All students EC-8 should have access to a full-time, state-certified, master’s-degree-level school counselor to deliver the counseling program.

We Will...

  • Abide by the professional school counseling ethics as advocated by the American School Counselor Association
  • Participate in professional development activities essential to maintain a quality school counseling program.




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.