From its origins in 1970 as the Colorado Junior Republic (CJR), a boarding school for boys in grades 9-12, to its current manifestation as an exceptional coeducational college preparatory day school for grades K-12, Dawson has been an institution in Boulder County that continues to carry forth the vision of its founder, Jerry Henderson, 2000-Present A decade of programmatic growth, experiential learning has been increasingly ingrained into the educational landscape of the campus. Athletic programs are more competitive with 22 championship banners earned during this time period. Mandarin was added to the world languages curriculum in 2007, and two years later, the language immersion program expanded into China. The Speech and Debate Club launched that same year, and has earned four state championships. Odyssey of the Mind teams were annually on the world stage and FIRST Robotics, in the national spotlight. With its technology integration in the classroom, along with Middle School environmental science and malaria eradication, the school is committed to finding cutting edge ways to enhance learning. In 2009, the Board of Boulder County Commissioners lifted the schools enrollment cap to allow 460 students and in the fall of 2010, the school opened with a vibrant 452 students. The schools first class of those who have attended Dawson from grades K-12, graduated in 2011. Through four decades of growth, respect, compassion, courage, and integrity, we continue to strengthen our commitment and relationships to students while preparing students for the world they will inherit has morphed from working the land for CJR currency to academic rigor, serving the community, and developing artistic and athletic excellence. Love of the Land has taken on a more global meaning through experiential education and on-campus sustainability. Henderson's commitment to the education and character development of young people, and his vision for a school that was similarly dedicated to these principles, continues to stand the test of time, while providing a useful context for the work we are doing today.