Dawson Elementary School

3001 South 1st Street

School District

Austin Independent
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Austin Independent School District

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 18, 2024

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the Mollie Dawson Elementary School. Your unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of my child has left an indelible mark on us, and for that, I am profoundly thankful.The positive impact that you have on our community is truly commendable. It is evident in the way you nurture a supportive and enriching environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The personalized attention and care you extend to each student is a testament to your professionalism and passion for education.The collaborative efforts of the entire staff have not only enhanced my child’s learning experience but have also fostered a sense of belonging and confidence. Moreover, the open lines of communication and ongoing support from teachers and staff have been invaluable. Your proactive approach in addressing any concerns and your willingness to work together to create the best possible outcomes for our children are greatly appreciated.It is my firm belief that the staff at Mollie Dawson Elementary School deserves the community’s wholehearted support and recognition. Your dedication and hard work contribute immensely to the betterment of our school and the future success of our children.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2021

I have known and loved this school for years as both my mother and sister in law have taught/still teach here but I am especially excited and proud because both my children are now in pre-school here (transfer students into the dual language). It feels so much like a family in the heart of the city where it represents all, where everyone knows each other and watches out for each other. We are so proud to be dolphins!
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2020

Dawson renewed my faith in public education. My brother is a public school teacher, and has long been telling me that public schools do a better job with working class kids, kids with disabilities and minority students (compared to charters and privates). Dawson proved him right.The Dawson model should be replicated across Austin ISD and Texas.(sidenote: I wish the upper echelon staff in our district would talk to parents and students and not look at schools through maintenance budgets. I wish trustees in the richer section of our town would see the schools through our eyes, and not shaded by upper echelon staff)
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2019

Dawson provides an amazing education with caring teachers. I wouldn't consider going anywhere else. If I have to consider going elsewhere due to AISD school closures I will move out of AISD.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2017

My daughter is in second grade. Since coming to Mollie Dawson Elementary she has learned important social skills, respect for diversity and improved her academic abilities. The teachers, staff and programs at Dawson Elementary are the best in the Austin ISD. The school is committed to maintaining a thriving, safe and inclusive school setting.
Submitted by teacher on December 20, 2016

Dawson is AWESOME! This tight-knit community of faculty and staff members goes above and beyond to ensure the success of every student in every classroom, every day. The variety of programs offered and initiatives in which the school participates facilitates a well-rounded, yet targeted education that meets the needs of the diverse populations of students in attendance. The Dual-Language program has been successfully implemented from Pre-K through 5th grade, with the Two-Way Immersion model present in classrooms up through 4th grade. Additionally, Dawson teachers support bilingual special-education students, many of whom are received from other AISD campuses that do not offer these specialized services. Dawson also houses a Life Skills Unit (with one English and one Bilingual classroom) that similarly aids in serving students from neighboring campuses that do not have a Life Skills program. What more can I say? SO MUCH MORE! Instead, I encourage you to stop by and find out for yourself! School tours are offered upon request and will not disappoint. Call the office directly for more information at 512-414-2070. To put it in a nutshell, I wouldn't send my child to any school other than Dawson. You can't beat AWESOME!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

My daughter has gone to PreK, K, and now first grade at Dawson! This is just a fantastic neighborhood school! If you are anywhere in the area and are looking for a great community school with a strong dual language program this is your place! Lots of school events and great teachers and principal!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

Dawson is awesome! Our daughter who is on the Autism Spectrum is enrolled in PPDC and participates in Pre-K throughout her day. She absolutely loves this school. She had previously been in care before but she never happily ran to her old classroom like she does here. Her transition to full time ppcd/pre-k was amazing, after her first day she was so excited to come to school. Over the weekend she talks about how much she loves her teachers and friends all day. She comes home with a new art/craft every day and I am always thrilled to see photos of what she does during the school day on the Dawson Facebook page. You can really tell that the administration and teachers put a great deal of effort into making sure that there are opportunities for parents to be involved in events as well. Our daughter came to school with an maximum utterance length of 2 words and used mostly scripted language but has had incredible progress with her language (MU is now 6) and her level of engagement with peers. This is really due to the diligent efforts of her teachers, the staff and her AISD provided speech and language pathologist. They have all worked incredibly hard to make sure that her needs are met and that she is having fun while she is learning. She is very lucky to have a small class size and such caring teachers. Her teachers really work to incorporate her love of music, reading and art into her learning.Her teachers are always incredibly responsive to any inquiries that we have about our daughters day/ progress. Although we have our formal ARD meetings at specified times we are constantly in contact with them about the progress she is making and how we can tailor her learning to her changing needs. The school has also been incredibly helpful in working with her off campus/ private slp's to coordinate her care/ goals. I am so incredibly grateful for the ppcd/pre-k teachers, and the staff at Dawson. I wish I would have known about Dawson earlier as I would have definitely enrolled her in pk3! I could not imagine a more nurturing learning environment for our daughter. Pro'sAmazing staffSmall Class sizesThey do have a Clubhouse Cadets (a daycare for young children 6wks +) on site which is incredibly convenient. Con'sNone- Dawson is awesome!
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2016

Dawson Elementary School serves as a educational champion for every single child. It is dedicated to educating the the entire child, and prides itself as being a "No Place for Hate" campus. Families are gifted with a robust menu of innovative, educational, social, and physical options - all of which serve to nurture a safe, secure, and equitable environment of equality. The community of families we are blessed to know - as a result of this school treasure - is beyond what this MommyDaddy could have imagined. An added bonus is the vast amount of brain power coupled with the caring, kind, and hands-on teachers and administrators. Dawson is a godsend in our lives. ~ #AISDProud #NevadasMom
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2016

Dawson is truly a school for everyone! I've found the community-- both parent and faculty to be open, supportive and inclusive. My child is excited to go to school and eager to participate in all the extra events and experiences provided. The principal, faculty and staff work so well together - and I truly believe they would do anything for our kids. Love the PTA as well. Good things happening here!
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2016

Dawson Elementary School is an incredible neighborhood school serving South Austin and many transfer students. My daughter has attended since Pre-K and transferred in for the Dual-Language program which is outstanding. Every teacher she has had (and that we've met) are wonderful and compassionate. Besides academics, our community couldn't be more diverse, with English Language Learners from all over the world, an awesome inclusive SpEd program, Communities in Schools support and tons of supplemental life skills and social and emotional programming. I had never heard of the Early Act First Knight program until Dawson, but it's a great tool sponsored by the Rotary Club and teaches our children values and traits from Medieval Times. There's nothing like hearing your child come home and tell stories of Compassion or Perseverance at the age of 5. To then be invited to your child's knighting is one of the proudest moments you will have in parenting, and have the Dawson to thank for providing that moment and wholesome lessons for your children. We feel so lucky to have found a community at Dawson that provides wholesome learning beyond just academics and testing.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2015

One word to describe this school, AWESOME. My daughter has been here for two years (3th & 4th) and her teachers have been great educators and amazing people. Mr. Cuellar & Mrs. Stilts Thanks for everything you guys have done for my daughter.
Submitted by teacher on March 23, 2015

Dawson is an amazing school for children! This community is a safe, welcoming community that is also very inclusive and diverse. With Dual Language, the Creative Learning Initiative, Social Emotional Learning, and the Texas Literacy Initiative (just to name a few programs and initiatives at the school), your child will receive a rigorous and enriching education. The teachers and staff of the campus work collaboratively to ensure that your children not only succeed at the elementary level, but will be prepared for college and life beyond school. Dawson is awesome!