Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain

What Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain does

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain is an independent, non-profit private school serving approximately 580 students from early childhood (age 3) through grade 8 on a 33-acre campus in the Summerlin community of Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 2000 under the Alexander Dawson Foundation (established 1957 by Girard B. Henderson), the school operates as a non-sectarian institution with three divisions: Early Childhood (NAEYC-accredited since 2007), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8). Core programming is organized around a Stanford Challenge Success wellbeing framework (the first such Nevada partner school), the BEAR Core Values (Belonging, Engagement, Advocacy, Resilience), project-based learning via PBLWorks Gold Standard, and a proprietary K-8 Design Technology curriculum that introduces digital fabrication, robotics, CAD, and coding progressively through grade 8.

The school runs a bundled tuition model with inclusive services (before-care, technology, meals, supplies). For 2026-2027, tuition is $23,200 for Early Childhood and $32,500 for K-8. Revenue is diversified across tuition, summer camp, BASE after-school enrichment, Career Academy, athletics, and direct Foundation funding following the elimination of the Annual Fund. The customer base is segmented into primary families seeking premium independent education, families needing financial assistance (18% of students receive aid, totaling $1.827M in 2025-2026), and community members engaged through Family Association and service-learning. Distribution is direct: campus tours, online application via schooladminonline.com, and family interviews. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees with fiduciary oversight, led by Head of School Roxanne Stansbury and a layered executive team spanning academic, operational, development, and facilities functions.

Name

Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain

Legal name

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain

Website

https://adsrm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Independent non-profit K-8 private school in Las Vegas, Nevada, serving 580 students from early childhood through grade 8 on a 33-acre campus, with Stanford Challenge Success framework, proprietary design technology curriculum, and bundled tuition around $23,200-$32,500.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from bundled tuition covering early childhood through grade 8 education. Tuition includes before-care, technology devices, snacks, lunch, activities, experiential opportunities, books, and classroom supplies. Additional revenue from summer camp programs and after-school enrichment (BASE program).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain delivers tuition-based independent K-8 education from early childhood (age 3) through grade 8 on a 33-acre Las Vegas campus. The bundled tuition offering includes before-care, technology devices and programming, meals, activities, books, and classroom supplies, supported by a 1:1 device ratio and a Design Technology curriculum spanning K-8. The school supplements academics with BASE after-school enrichment, Dawson Summer Camp, Athletics with a no-cut policy, and a High School Advising program for grade 8 students matriculating to boarding, magnet, private, and career/technical high schools.

Product overview

The Alexander Dawson School offers a unified K-8 independent school experience with programs spanning Early Childhood (age 3) through Grade 8. The core educational offering consists of three divisions: Early Childhood Program (NAEYC-accredited since 2007), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8). Supporting the academic core are specialized programs including the Design Technology Program (K-8), Challenge Success partnership with Stanford University, Project-Based Learning (PBLWorks Gold Standard), Student Services (learning support, counseling, comfort dog), and High School Advising. The school extends learning through BASE (Bears After-School Engagement), Career Academy, Athletics, Clubs & Voice Groups, and Dawson Summer Camp. Financial accessibility is supported through Tuition Assistance, the G.B. Henderson Scholarship (75-90% tuition coverage), and Ozmun Scholarship. The bundled tuition model includes before-care, technology devices, meals, activities, and educational resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program Play-based early childhood education program for children starting at age 3 through kindergarten, featuring a differentiated approach that blends direct instruction with play-based activities. NAEYC-accredited since 2007 and licensed through Nevada Child Care Licensing. Tuition of $23,200 per year for 2026-2027 includes before-care, technology devices, snacks, lunch, activities, books, and classroom supplies.
• Lower School Program Elementary school program for kindergarten through fourth grade, fostering lifelong passions and a love of learning through hands-on experiences, building foundational skills in literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional development. Tuition of $32,500 per year for 2026-2027 covers the bundled offering of before-care, technology, meals, and activities.
• Middle School Program
• Design Technology Program K-8 design technology curriculum using the iterative Dawson Design Process, featuring a Lower School Design Lab and Middle School Design Tech electives including 3D printing, laser cutting, coding, CAD design tools, robotics (Dash and Dot, Cubelets), and VR technology. Culminates in specialized electives including Dawson Design Company, Wear It!, Creating with Code, and Tech for Good in grades 7-8.
• Challenge Success Program Research-based program from Stanford University that emphasizes student academics, wellbeing, and healthy school-life balance. Dawson is Nevada's first Challenge Success partner school, providing exclusive access to Challenge Success strategies including student voice and choice.
• Student Services Comprehensive support program including academic support and enrichment, data-driven accommodations, Language Lab, math support, Student Success Lab, social-emotional learning, school counseling, and the comfort dog program (Hope the Goldendoodle).
• High School Advising Program Personalized high school guidance program matching eighth-grade students with appropriate high schools, including local magnet programs, private schools, and boarding schools nationwide. Dawson Class of 2024 matriculated to top boarding schools and local Las Vegas magnet, private, and career/technical programs.
• Project-Based Learning Program Gold Standard PBL approach where students learn through engagement in longer-term, real-world, meaningful projects. Teachers are trained in the PBLWorks model to embed sustained projects that allow students to apply learning in purposeful ways.
• BASE: Bears After-School Engagement Four-season enrichment program offering 140 classes every school year to early childhood through grade 8 students, covering art, dance, technology, academics, athletics, and more. 53% of students participate in BASE Classes. After-Care: 3:15-6 p.m. for EC; 3:45-6:00 p.m. for K-8 with monthly or 5-session pack payment options.
• Career Academy Middle school career exploration program for grades 5-8 featuring four-day intensive courses in design technology, arts, athletics, entrepreneurialism, and occupational skills. Pricing of $600 per week per student for most programs.
• Athletics Program Athletics program with no-cut policy, offering competitive sports including basketball, cross country, flag football, swim, tennis, volleyball, cheer, golf, and track & field across 4 athletics fields. Competes in Red Rock Athletic Conference; 84% of middle school students participate in at least one sport. Multiple conference and national championships in 2023-2024.
• Clubs & Voice Groups Middle school clubs and student voice groups including affinity groups, ally groups, and ambassador groups, covering topics from arts and athletics to entrepreneurship and social advocacy. Includes DEI Ambassador Model with student voice groups.
• Dawson Summer Camp Academic summer camp program for early childhood through grade 8 with theme-based activities blending classroom studies and immersive experiences. Includes Minecraft STEAM, Disney Design, and career-focused camps. Pricing: $500/week for EC-Grade 4; $600/week for Grades 5-8 Career Academy (some programs up to $750). Includes daily snack and lunch. Law & Advocacy camp offered at no cost.
• Tuition Assistance Program Need-based financial assistance program providing meaningful support to families, with 18% of students receiving assistance and $1.8 million allotted for the 2025-2026 school year. 11% of all tuition dollars go toward Tuition Assistance and Discounts.
• G.B. Henderson Scholarship Merit and need-based scholarship covering 75-90% of tuition for four years for grades 5-6 students. Includes after-care fees, enrichment classes, class field trips, and uniform store stipend. Need-based eligibility plus minimum 3.2 GPA requirement, honoring the school's founder and his legacy of innovation and lifelong learning.
• Ozmun Scholarship Scholarship for rising 5th and 6th grade students who are children of Southern Nevada police, fire, or EMT professionals, covering 80% of tuition for up to four years plus up to $500 annually for uniforms.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CultureEd CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with CultureEd Collective co-founders Kori McMillion and Jacinta Williams to create sustainable organizational change. They helped the School chart a path toward creating a culture of belonging and inclusion for every community member through personalized service and guidance.
• Stanford University Challenge SuccesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Nevada's first Stanford University Challenge Success partner school. Dawson uses research-based strategies and programs that emphasize student academics, wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance to create engaged, motivated, and resilient learners. Challenge Success is a non-profit school reform organization founded in 2003 at Stanford's Graduate School of Education.
• Challenge SuccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit school reform organization founded in 2003 at Stanford University's Graduate School of Education. Works with teams of educators, parents, and students at partner schools to identify problems and implement best practices in curriculum, assessment, homework, school schedules, and healthy school climate. Has worked with over 750 schools and surveyed over 350,000 students in 20 years.
• Farm to Table KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational Garden Consultant partnership with Farmer Steph McDonough of Farm to Table Kids supporting the Richard & Malena Ruffin Organic Garden, the largest school garden in Las Vegas Valley.
• Wonderland SouthwestminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner for BASE after-school enrichment program providing additional class offerings.
• Buddy the BallminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner for BASE after-school programs including tennis and pickleball clubs.
• Team Playground RulesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner for BASE after-school enrichment program offerings.
• Bash & DesignChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner for BASE after-school enrichment program offerings.
• Farm to Table KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational Garden Consultant partnership with Farmer Steph McDonough supporting the Ruffin Organic Garden.
• Vegas ChamberminorOthersProud member of the Vegas Chamber, demonstrating community engagement and local business connectivity.
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)coreOthersMember of NAIS providing best practices guidance for tuition assistance and admissions processes.
• NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools)coreOthersMember of NWAIS, a regional association supporting independent schools. Dawson maintains non-discriminatory admissions practices aligned with NWAIS standards.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Greenhill School: Larger independent K-12 school in Addison, Texas known for progressive, project-based learning and design/innovation programs. Comparable pedagogical orientation to Dawson's Challenge Success/PBL focus, but at significantly greater scale (1,200+ students) - representative of where Dawson could scale toward.
• The Nueva School: Independent K-8 school in Hillsborough, California known for progressive, project-based learning with strong design/STEM emphasis. Highly comparable to Dawson's modern learning and design-tech pedagogical approach, serving as an aspirational peer for programming model.

Regional players

• Bishop Gorman High School: Catholic college-preparatory high school in Las Vegas. While Dawson ends at 8th grade, Bishop Gorman is a primary destination school for Dawson graduates, making it a key competitor for families evaluating K-12 private continuity.
• Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School: Long-established Las Vegas private school offering middle and high school programming, plus associated elementary campuses. Competes with Dawson for the same Las Vegas premium family segment, particularly at the middle-school transition stage.

Direct peers

• Vail Mountain School: Independent K-12 school in Vail, Colorado serving affluent resort-community families. Comparable in scale, family demographic, and bundled tuition approach; similar premium positioning in a lifestyle-driven market.
• Pinecrest Academy of Nevada: Network of charter private-style K-12 campuses across the Las Vegas Valley (Inspirada, Sloan Canyon, Horizon). Comparable to Dawson in grade range, family demographic served, and college-prep orientation, with overlapping competitive set.
• Park City Day School: Independent K-12 school in Park City, Utah serving affluent mountain-resort community families. Similar demographic profile (affluent families in a destination/lifestyle market) and similar bundled tuition structure make it a strong comparable peer.
• The Meadows School: Independent private K-12 school located in Las Vegas, Nevada, directly competing with Dawson for the same affluent Las Vegas family pool. Comparable bundled tuition model, similar suburban campus footprint, and similar college-preparatory positioning make it the most direct peer.
• Lake Tahoe School: Independent K-12 school in Incline Village, Nevada serving Lake Tahoe-area families. Comparable premium independent school profile with similar family demographics, college-prep mission, and bundled tuition model.
• American Heritage Academy: Private K-12 school in the Las Vegas Valley serving similar affluent families, with comparable bundled tuition model and college-preparatory focus. Directly competes for Las Vegas premium private school market share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZnZGU6EyRA456dSEZ0mKag
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlexanderDawsonSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/dawson_bears
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alexander-dawson-school-at-rainbow-mountain

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain