We’re reposting this video because getting our students’ names and stories right matters to us. Thank you for the grace as we corrected an error. Every member of the Class of 2026 deserves to be celebrated accurately and fully.
And this class is absolutely worth celebrating.
The Dawson Class of 2026 is headed to an incredible range of colleges and universities across the country and around the world, including Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Williams College, Wellesley College, Tufts University, Florida Institute of Technology, UC San Diego, UC Davis, , , and many more.
This class of 44 earned:
• 268 college acceptances
• More than $5.3 million in merit and scholarship awards
• A 64% admit rate in one of the most competitive admissions years ever, compared to the national average of 48%
But beyond the numbers is what makes this class one-of-a-kind.
Every student carved their own path. Different goals, different journeys, different dreams. What they share is the courage to grow, the willingness to challenge themselves, and the support of a community that believed in them along the way.
Class of 2026, we could not be prouder of who you’ve become.
Your next chapter is going to be fun to watch. 💙
Dawson School
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An independent, college preparatory day school for K-12 students. Located on 107 acres in Boulder County, Colorado.
Dawson is more than a school. We are a community. A community of K-12 educators, faculty, and parents who believe education should not only prepare students for academic success - it should prepare them for life. We recognize students as individuals. We value their abilities and prepare them to bring their best to the world.
- Best private school in Adams, Boulder, and Weld Counties
- 100% col
Just like that, they’re off.
Congratulations to the Dawson Class of 2026. Thank you for the leadership, memories, and impact you’ve left on this community. We can’t wait to see what’s next for each of you.
05/23/2026
A glimpse into one of Dawson’s most cherished traditions, Senior Honorings, where the faculty and staff gathered to honor the Class of 2026 and reflect on the relationships, achievements, and experiences that shaped their journey and prepared them for what comes next. 🎓
Tomorrow, they graduate.
05/21/2026
The buses pulled away, the hallways emptied out, and the 2025–2026 school year officially came to a close.
Thank you to our students, families, faculty, and staff for another remarkable year at Dawson.
Inside the 5th Grade Cottage, Rube Goldberg day has become a favorite tradition for a reason.
The project is built as a cross-divisional collaboration. Third graders begin by writing original stories, 5th graders take over the design and construction process, and Upper School students step in to help troubleshoot, engineer, and refine each machine.
One featured project this year was the “Zingy Wingy Watering Plants Thingy” (Z.W.W.P.T.), inspired by a 3rd grade story called “The Problem of Desert Valley.” In the story, a drought leaves an entire town without enough food or nutrients, leading students to design a machine capable of watering plants automatically through a chain reaction system.
The 5th Grade Cottage was filled with creative builds this year, including Coke explosions, fish-feeding machines, and one project that traveled down two stories before landing a cowboy hat perfectly onto a student.
You can learn a lot about a school by watching what students build when they’re given room to experiment. That’s part of what makes experiential education at Dawson one of a kind.
05/12/2026
Our Middle School students recently visited Warrior StoryField, where they worked alongside veterans to create metal artwork by hand, including butterflies, dragonflies, and a phoenix.
Students learned the process directly from those guiding them through it, shaping raw material through heat, repetition, and attention to detail. The experience created space for something increasingly rare in education today: genuine connection built through shared work.
This is part of what defines a Dawson education. Students are known well enough to be trusted with meaningful experiences, challenged to engage fully, and given opportunities to learn through direct experience alongside others.
As the last full week of school approaches, Upper School students will celebrate the end of the year with grade-level activities on Wednesday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Grade 9 → water balloons + Punch Buggy on the quad
Grade 10 → color bombs + Kona Ice on the Middle School lacrosse field
Grade 11 → tie-dye + Punch Buggy on the Dining Commons patio/lawn
Sophomores should wear clothing they are comfortable getting covered in color.
These end-of-year moments give students time to relax, connect, and celebrate the community they’ve built throughout the year.
05/09/2026
Mercado is a long-standing tradition that turns the Lower School into a working marketplace.
Fourth graders take ownership from the start, designing the event for K–5 students to explore through conversation, exchange, and problem-solving. Students apply what they know in real time, with all the energy and unpredictability that comes with it.
By the end of the day, what students gain extends well beyond vocabulary.
It’s experiential education at work, allowing students to practice independence, communication, and quick thinking as they navigate conversations on their own.
05/08/2026
Congratulations to Andy K. ('26), this year’s Tournament of Champions winner!
In a closely contested final match between two senior players, Andy’s steady pressure and strategic play secured the title. It was a fitting final chapter for both Andy and Canon M. ('26), who have been dedicated leaders and competitors in Dawson’s Chess Club.
Thank you both for the years you’ve given to the program. You will be missed!
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10455 Dawson Drive
Lafayette, CO
80026
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 4pm |
| Friday | 8am - 4pm |