The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain

We have had over 12 amazing years at Dawson with our two children. Drawn to their individualized approach to learning and their focus on the social and emotional components of education, we couldn't be happier with our decision. We have two very different children with different learning styles and interests and both have developed into passionate learners with diverse problem-solving skills. They have learned to lead and work as part of a team and speak with confidence in front of peers and educators, and have grown into engaged members of their respective classes. Watching them develop over the years through that Dawson difference- and especially witnessing the personal and scholastic growth during middle school has been a validating experience. I'm thrilled with the ease with which our eldest has transitioned to the honors program at Gorman and the base of educational confidence he has carried with him.

We were introduced to The Alexander Dawson School through friends' recommendations and quickly realized that the Early Education program would be a great fit for our energetic, curious, and strong-willed 3 year old. We felt our son would be safe and in good hands from the very first day. In the several months, he's been there, we've found his teachers & extracurricular instructors to engage with him in such a respectful, loving, and nurturing manner. It is very apparent that they take joy in the kids! The school is a great start to my toddler's education. Building foundational values (such as empathy, global citizenship, respect) is just as important as creative learning and activities. We've found the school to be communicative and responsive. We see how much he loves going to school and being with his teachers & friends. Knowing that he's in such good hands is amazing!

My child is in 2 grade and learned so much. She loves it, and made so many friends! Best school ever.

I have two daughters one is 4th and the little one in pre-K. They learn something every single day, teachers are full of patient and hard work, they give each child the space the time, and support they need or ask for. My girls are always ready and happy to go to The Alexander Dawson, which is a place where they find playtime, learning time all in a respectful space and time. We have been here for a couple of years and we are loving it.

When touring the campus we fell in love with the school philosophy as well as their core beliefs aligned with what we want for our children. The faculty and teachers also make this place amazing. We wanted our kids to have a love for learning and we have found this at Dawson. The teachers are always available for the students and the parents and they truly care about the kids they are teaching. They challenge the children in their studies and allow them to think outside the box. Aside from their in-depth core classes available to the students, their electives are beyond impressive, from music tech to photography to visual arts and their climate of care class. Another added bonus of Dawson is their fun and welcoming parent body. With our middle schooler involved in the amazing Dawson athletics programs, we love cheering on Dawson teams with other parents. We have found a home at Dawson and wish it went beyond 8th grade!

My son has been changed for the better with the fine teachers and staff at the school. He has become more confident and desiring the need to learn since attending. His progress has been wonderful. The people he is around are very caring and informative in letting me know how he is doing. Highly recommend.

I'm a Dawson alumna-graduated in 2013, went on to graduate cum laude from a really good boarding school in 2017, and just graduated from Stanford University in 2021. That track record alone could testify to the quality of a Dawson education, but what I remember most about Dawson is that all of my teachers/counselors/admin cared SO much about seeing me succeed. I never went one day without an adult checking in or making me smile, which is crucial during those tough middle school years. Shoutout to Mrs. Finfrock and Mr. Estrella-I would never have found the right opportunities or had the support to pursue them without those two, and I'm so glad to see them in school leadership now. Finally, I'm proud to see how Dawson has innovated and improved annually to find the best practices in education-from DEI initiatives to partnering with Stanford's School of Ed, I know that Dawson is doing the right thing at a time when we need well-educated, well-rounded students.

We are grateful to be a part of the Alexander Dawson community, especially over this past year when Dawson took a lead in ensuring students education continued while fostering as much of a sense of normalcy as possible. Our son is currently a 4th grader at Dawson and has been at the school since Pre-K. With each passing year, we've seen tremendous growth socially, emotionally, and academically. He loves school and the friendships he's gained in the classroom.Dawson, with its inviting campus and creative environment, encourages celebration of the individual student while being committed to a strong core education. Above all else, it's the care and commitment of the teachers and administration that sets Dawson apart. Truly, Dawson is about students and families working together for the best outcomes for our kids. We are thankful and proud that Dawson is an important part of our family.

Dawson is quite honestly the most amazing, wonderful and school for our two children who are ALWAYS happy to be arriving for school. From our first visit, we knew it was the school for us and our children, who are very different from each other; both of them have absolutely thrived.We looked at every single private school in Las Vegas and short-listed three, the other two didn't come close, it was one of the easiest decisions we had to make. We love this school so much that I am in the process of retiring 4 yrs early from the military and emigrating permanently from the UK. This is SOLELY for the purpose of ensuring we can keep our children in Dawson (I am on a 3 yr exchange with the US Air Force). We believe and trust in the school that much! Here is what we love:-Children are treated as people & respected as individuals with their differences catered for, both strengths and weaknesses.-Allow children to fail forward by using critical-thinking to problem-solve for themselves.-Communication with staff is second to none with total transparency and completely open.-Staff are of the highest calibre and regularly mix up their lessons to help children learn in the most efficient and fun ways.-Staff will always ensure the entire educational experience is child-focused and what is best for the children, not for the staff.-Small class sizes allow all children to have dedicated teacher time to cement their knowledge of subjects.-Children are not expected to sit still at a desk all-day with additional options for children who struggle with sitting still (our son is one of those children). Our son was provided with a standing desk, a wobble chair, a sitting desk with a huge rubber band to bounce his feet on and a floor desk to help him manage his energy. In addition, he was also given a fidget toy for other classes such as music, art when he is struggling to listen to subjects he doesn't have as much of an interest in. The change in him as result has been magical.-Recess is recognized as an absolutely essential part of the school day with 2 recesses and an hour for lunch/additional recess.-The education standard is exceptional and really nurtures children in a way that they love learning, yet at the same time, are hitting every age-specific target with ease.-Children are regularly exposed to a plethora of different cultures, beliefs and concepts that challenge their own understanding of the world from a socio-economic, cultural, racial and identity point of view.-The school has a rich and diverse faculty from numerous countries, backgrounds, race, religion and cultures.-During COVID the school fully embraced an online learning curriculum with only 7 days notice after the State shut all schools. They have remained so proactive and forward-leaning, such that there has been no break in our children's education.-One unexpected bonus is the Parents' University program. This is adult education that helps parents to become active partners in their children's education, with subjects ranging from preparing children for the future job market to parenting teens to gender-specific challenges. Often these sessions (which are free), are with some exceptional external speakers who are experts in their field.The only downside with Dawson is that we have to pay :) I only wish every child could have this level of education, if they did the USA would be a VERY different country.

My daughter has been at Dawson since age 3 / preschool and is now in kindergarten. We are extremely pleased with the school and our daughter has thrived. The school's approach to academics is modern and focuses on learning not just rote memorization but engages children to figure things out and inquire about how things work. And while the school encourages every child to do their best, it does not do so in an overly competitive atmosphere that can be judgmental or stressful. And the school's electives are impressive. They offer a vast array of technology, various art programs, and foreign language, including Mandarin, which I don't think can be found at any other Las Vegas school. Additionally, the school places a high value of developing the entire child, not just academics, but fostering confidence, leadership, conflict resolution and empathy - all necessary for any individual, young or old, to succeed. I couldn't recommend the school more to any family looking to provide a comprehensive academic and character building environment for their child.

As soon as we visited the Dawson Campus, we knew it was the right school for both of our children (they are complete opposites). The campus is beautiful, yes, but every single person who works there - teachers, administration, security - they all make it feel like home. The standard of education is fantastic and subjects are super varied - each child is treated like the individual they are. The learning here isn't just academic - it's social-emotional too. The after-school enrichment program has something for everyone. Teachers at Dawson do a wonderful job tailoring the learning to suit each child's needs, encouraging them to do what they love, and they communicate really well with parents. There is a definite emphasis on thinking "outside of the box" and they are incredibly creative whilst helping the kids learn. The atmosphere at the school is superb, the staff and children are all so relaxed and happy, it is a truly fun, safe place to learn and approaching our third year, I cannot imagine our children being anywhere else. There are also fantastic education pieces for parents, with some great guest speakers. I even attended a free parenting course last year. At Dawson, it feels like teaching and helping children to grow is truly a vocation, not "just a job". It's like every teacher and member of staff is exactly where they should be, everyone seems to fit and work together in the most fantastic way. We feel extremely supported as a family there and hope our children will remain Dawson students until they both graduate 8th Grade. They are so happy every day. There is a real sense of community at this school. #DawsonDifference

When we made the decision to move cross-country to Las Vegas, we took the time to visit many of the private schools in the Summerlin/Las Vegas area. As parents, we put a lot of emphasis on a high quality well rounded education that will benefit our kids now and in years to come, so it was important to us to really do our homework on this. It became very clear that Dawson was the right choice, providing the best of everything. The transition for our kids to this new environment was seamless, inviting, and they could not be happier. The school does an excellent job combining advanced academics, competitive athletics, and the numerous arts programs. The faculty help mold the kids in to the best possible learners, with the ability to differentiate instruction and really foster each kids strengths. Dawson is providing the opportunity for our kids to become even more empathetic people while pushing them to learn and try new things. It is an environment that we believe will best prepare our kids for high school and beyond, pushing them academically, socially and personally. We highly recommend Dawson, as it was one of the best decisions we've made!

Our daughter joined Dawson as a 1st grader and now is in her 3rd grade. She previously attended a private school overseas. She comes home happy every day after school, everyone is so friendly (parents, teachers, students). She has made so many friends and she loves her teachers. The Dawson academic curriculum is comprehensive and challenging - our daughter is always motivated to learn and grow her skills. We have noticed a huge difference in her verbal and written communication skills in particular. We also love how Dawson teaches the children about cultural diversity through the country studies curriculum. Dawson's communication with parents is also excellent. We are so happy we chose Dawson -We are thrilled to watch our daughter blossom! Dawson has exceeded our expectations in so many ways.

My daughter is in her 4th year at Alexander Dawson, and my husband and I are so grateful for the opportunities she's had in both Early Childhood and Lower School. Not only is my daughter a full grade-level above where she should be in core subjects like Literacy, Writing, and Math, she is also several grade levels above her non-Dawson peers when it comes to her social-emotional intelligence, her character, her problem-solving and STEAM skills, and her awareness of the core issues of our time. When my daughter started at Dawson, she was a shy introvert. While she's still an introvert, now she loves speaking up in her classes, flourishes as a public speaker and performer, and easily makes friends. Alexander Dawson deeply cares about its students and their families, goes above and beyond providing support (academically and socially emotionally), and we've made amazing, lifelong friends with families who share or educational and social values. I highly recommend the school.

My son went to another private school for PreK, when it was time to go to Kindergarten, I visited and researched every private and charter school in the Las Vegas area. After our visit to Dawson, I knew it was THE best school and right for my son. The campus which is just the icing on the cake is the most beautiful campus I have ever seen for an EC-8th grade school. My son must have "overheard" some conversations with my husband over the summer because when I picked him up the 2nd day of school, he said, "mama I LOVE school, you picked good." That made my heart full and happy. We absolutely love everything about Dawson. My son is now in 1st grade and he loves going to school every single day. Dawson has researched every single aspect of everything you can and cannot imagine for the school. My son is thriving academically, socially, and emotionally. Both sides of our family are in awe of the education that our son is receiving at Dawson and what a great young boy he is! Even with everything that is going on in the World, my son continues to excel at Dawson, they have thought of everything to take care of their students' safety, health, wellbeing and the students continue to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Dawson cares about their students, parents, teachers and faculty. In addition, Dawson offers so many opportunities for parents to learn and grow through events like Parent University, Parent Association, monthly Morning Coffee Chats, and community building events for the Dawson families. I highly recommend Dawson! One of the best decisions I have made in my life for my son who is my World!

When we moved to Las Vegas 3 1/2 years ago, we looked at several of the private schools in the area. After our visit to Dawson, we knew it was the right school for our daughter and our family. We absolutely loved the feeling of Dawson - from the kids in the hallways to the teachers to the administrators. It felt right - it felt like home. Our daughter is in her fourth year at Dawson, and it has been even more than we'd hoped for. Through a focus on social, emotional, and academic learning, Dawson nurtures each student's strengths and builds on individual learning styles. Dawson offers multiple opportunities for parents to learn and grow as well, through events like Parent University and monthly Morning Coffee Chats. Dawson students and their families look forward to the fun community building events held throughout the year. We are happy we chose Dawson and we are proud members of the Dawson Community.

We're new to Dawson, but so far I'm extremely impressed. At our last school my girls spent most of their time cramming for tests, with an outdated curriculum. Math is our toughest subject and Dawson gave us their grade level math books, so we could make sure they were on track before starting a different program. Additionally there were 4 weeks of summer school, not mandatory and no charge. We're only a month into the school year, already adjusted and extremely grateful to be at Alexander Dawson.

What an AMAZING experience! Comprehensive academic, athletic, artistic, musical, theatrical, state-of-the-art technology, education, instruction, facilities, safety, security, support staff and services. Dawson has it ALL! Dawson's climate of care and intentional, positive influences continue to inspire our son, as well as our family, to become more engaged, self motivated, productive, positive agents of education and society. Schedule a tour and you'll witness first hand the Dawson Difference.

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