Dawson School celebrates 50th graduating class

Since its founding in 1970, Dawson School has strived to nurture and prepare students to bring their best to the world, and the school is celebrating its 50th graduating class this year. "The Class of 2020 is a remarkable group of students, whose resilience and drive, creativity, integrity, and compassion are just what the world needs right now," said George P. Moore, Head of School for Dawson. "We couldn't be more proud to have these students represent Dawson's 50th graduating class."

Given current public health restrictions, Dawson seniors and families voted to delay their graduation event until early August, in the hope of being able to celebrate together. In the meantime, Dawson celebrated its seniors by surprising each with a yard sign delivered by staffers. In August, in addition to traditional commencement, the school will hold is annual Senior Honoring, a much-loved component of Dawson's graduation, where each student is spotlighted by a member of the Dawson faculty in a celebration that is at times funny and moving, always heartfelt, and exemplifies the relationships that students and faculty build at Dawson, one of the program's hallmarks.

Notes about Dawson's Class of 2020:

*58 graduates; 100 percent graduation rate.

*100 percent college-bound.

*All of Dawson’s seniors are accepted into four-year institutions that range from Ivy League to major universities to private colleges. A sampling includes Brown University, University of Southern California, Emory University, Barnard College, Tulane University, Northwestern University, Pitzer College, New York University/Shanghai, University of Colorado, Colorado College, and Savannah College of Art and Design.

*At least 75% of the class was offered a merit scholarship; collectively, Dawson graduating classes are offered over $5 million in merit scholarships annually.

*Three students are going on to play sports at the collegiate level.

*Two students will be beginning their college freshman year abroad (Shanghai and Paris).

This year, there are seven "lifers," who attended Dawson beginning in kindergarten. The group convened recently for a socially distanced picnic to celebrate this special distinction.

Dawson will be celebrating its 50th year throughout 2020-21 with a variety of special events, recognitions, and milestone memories. Looking to the next 50 years, the school will open the Dawson Center for Innovation in the fall -- 25,000 sq. ft. of new construction featuring best-in-class classrooms and labs, maker and flex spaces.