Since 1954, students at Dawes Elementary School have gained knowledge, built friendships and explored their communities, carrying those experiences with them throughout their lives.

Known for its Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program, Dawes offers core core classes in Spanish. The program aims to help students develop strong literacy skills and language proficiency in both English and Spanish.

This year, former student and current freshman Kelly Toomey is enrolled in Spanish 3 Honors and attributes her academic success to the foundational skills she gained at Dawes.

“The teachers in the TWI program really promoted my language learning,” said Toomey.

Other students appreciate the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities beyond the classroom. Dawes offers boys’ and girls’ basketball and track and field and boys’ flag football.

“I played flag football and basketball when I was there,” said former student and current freshman Matthew Ruppert.

According to its website, “Dawes strives to provide equitable access to educational programs that promote academic achievement, a lifelong love of learning, and a passion for cross-curricular artistic expression through music, art, technology, and PE.”