About the Founding Families & Débuts

A Movement Built by Parents, Led by Vision

Dashwood Academy Preparatory ("DAP") began not as a school, but as a parent-led cooperative movement. Families in Moses Lake who refused to accept limited options for their children came together to build a nonprofit enrichment program that will officially launch in 2026, pending regulatory compliance.

These families, known as our Founding Families, are creating a program focused on enrichment, leadership, and cultural exposure. Their children, carefully selected for the founding cohort, are called Débuts.

What Is a Début?

A Début (pronounced day-BEW) is a child chosen to pioneer Dashwood's founding cohort. Key points:

  • Débuts are not official students and do not receive accredited instruction from Dashwood.

  • They participate in voluntary enrichment, mentorship, leadership, and cultural activities under parent supervision.

  • Débuts are building the standards, traditions, and culture that will define Dashwood at launch.

When Débuts introduce themselves publicly, they may say:

"I'm a founding family Début with Dashwood Academy Preparatory. Our projected start date is 2026."

This statement reflects that they are preparing and participating, but are not yet enrolled in a licensed or accredited school operated by Dashwood.

Selection: Merit and Leadership

Membership in the founding cohort is competitive and merit-based.

  • Children are selected based on leadership, character, initiative, academic potential, and readiness for high independence.

  • Not every child of a founding family is included; positions are earned through essays, interviews, and demonstrated qualities.

Life as a Début

Although not official students, Débuts may participate in voluntary, parent-supervised activities such as:

Study and Collaboration: Group or independent study to develop self-direction

Play and Recreation: Team-building, house competitions, and social events

Cultural Experiences: Museums, theaters, concerts, college visits, and educational excursions

Community Engagement: Volunteer service projects and public representation

Uniform Participation: Wearing Dashwood blazers for cooperative activities to foster identity

All activities are optional, supervised by parents, and designed to develop leadership, independence, and collaboration.

The Founding Families

The Founding Families are co-creators of the program, not consumers of educational services. They:

  • Organize and supervise activities collaboratively

  • Provide expertise, resources, and strategic guidance

  • Help build community and culture in preparation for the 2026 nonprofit launch

  • Adapt internationally recognized educational models to Moses Lake

Temporary Status & Legal Disclaimer

Dashwood Academy Preparatory is not a school. The program:

  • Is currently a pilot enrichment program, offered online and through parent-led cooperative activities.

  • Operates under a temporary seasonal program exemption in Washington State, applicable to programs running 3 months or less per year.

  • Does not provide academic instruction, grades, transcripts, or diplomas.

  • Is limited to Founding Families; public enrollment will begin only after official launch.

Academic Responsibility:

  • All Débuts must maintain enrollment in a fully accredited program (public school, private school, online program, or registered homeschool).

  • Dashwood does not manage or control academic enrollment or instruction.

  • Parents remain fully responsible for academic progress, compliance with state education requirements, and graduation eligibility.

Liability and Safety:

  • All activities are parent-supervised and voluntary.

  • Dashwood Academy Prep, its board, or other participating families are not liable for injuries, academic outcomes, or any incidents that may occur during the development phase.

  • Participation is at the risk of families, and Débuts are not considered students in a licensed educational program.

Future Plans

2026 Launch: Transition to a year-round, licensed enrichment program with structured programming, cultural experiences, and leadership opportunities.

Long-Term Goal (2030): Dashwood aims to become a fully accredited private school while maintaining enrichment options for families who:

  • Prefer to keep their children in online programs

  • Want only specific components (field trips, etiquette, college prep, testing support)

  • Seek after-school enrichment rather than full-time enrollment

Until full accreditation is obtained, all activities remain enrichment-focused, and academic transcripts/diplomas continue to come from families' chosen accredited programs.

Public Notice

  • DAP is independent and not affiliated, partnered, or endorsed by any educational institution or platform, including Washington Connections Academy (WACA).

  • Participation as a Début does not confer student status or replace enrollment in an accredited program.

  • The program is developing, and all facilities, launch dates, and programming are planned but not guaranteed.

  • The temporary cooperative structure, liability limitation, and seasonal exemption end with the official launch, after which Dashwood will obtain all required licensing and insurance.

Recognition of Founding Families and Débuts

Founding Families and Débuts are pioneers, building the culture, standards, and traditions that will guide Dashwood Academy Preparatory for generations.

Débuts serve as ambassadors of excellence, demonstrating leadership, initiative, and character in public engagements.

Their work ensures that Dashwood will launch as a program grounded in merit, vision, and community collaboration.

Summary

Dashwood Academy Preparatory is currently a temporary, parent-led enrichment initiative, open only to Founding Families. Participation is voluntary, supervised by parents, and does not replace formal academic enrollment. The program is developing toward a 2026 nonprofit launch, with the long-term goal of becoming a fully accredited private school with enrichment options.

For more information about the founding cohort and public engagement:
Website: www.dashwoodacademyprep.org
Email: community@dashwoodschool.org

Additional Program Details

1. Governance & Oversight

Clarifies who is running the program and how decisions are made. Important for transparency and liability.

  • Dashwood is governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of founding parents and community advisors.

  • Strategic decisions about programming, culture, and operations are made collaboratively.

  • During the development phase, all adult supervision and program oversight is parent-led. Dashwood staff are not providing formal educational instruction.

  • Decisions are made with the goal of a smooth transition to a licensed nonprofit enrichment program in 2026.

2. Communication & Public Representation

Outlines how Débuts can represent Dashwood publicly and how social media/content is handled.

  • Débuts may appear publicly at cultural events, field trips, or community service activities.

  • Dashwood maintains oversight of all public representations to ensure appropriate conduct, COPPA compliance, and privacy.

  • Parents approve participation in social media, photography, and video content.

  • Débuts serve as ambassadors of Dashwood, but are not official students or employees.

3. Enrollment Limitations & Exclusivity

Clarifies why only certain children can participate.

  • Participation is limited to children of founding families who meet selection criteria.

  • The founding cohort is selective and based on merit, not legacy or family income.

  • Public enrollment will begin only after 2026 launch, pending licensing and nonprofit compliance.

4. Intellectual Property & Program Content

Protects program materials and ideas developed by parents and Débuts.

  • All materials, curricula, house systems, leadership programs, and branding developed during the cooperative phase are property of Dashwood Academy Prep.

  • Débuts and parents may not reproduce or distribute materials outside the program without written permission.

  • This protects the founding cohort's work and ensures program continuity for future students.

5. Risks & Assumption of Risk

Clear language for public/legal protection beyond parent acknowledgement.

  • Participation in activities carries inherent risks, including travel, physical activity, or social interactions.

  • By observing or interacting with Débuts publicly, the public acknowledges that Dashwood is not responsible for supervision outside parent-led activities.

  • Any participation in cooperative events is voluntary and at the family's own discretion.

6. Community Engagement & Volunteerism

Highlights the civic and community focus while clarifying limits.

  • Founding Families and Débuts may participate in volunteer projects, cultural events, and service initiatives in Moses Lake and surrounding areas.

  • Dashwood provides guidance but not direct supervision—all activities are conducted under parental oversight.

  • Public engagement is designed to build community relationships and visibility, not to provide services to the public.

7. Accessibility & Inclusion Statement

Optional but good for public communication and legal clarity.

  • Dashwood Academy Prep is committed to inclusion and accessibility within the cooperative program.

  • Families are encouraged to notify the board of any accessibility needs, and cooperative activities will accommodate where possible.

  • During the development phase, participation is limited by parental supervision capacity, not by any discriminatory criteria.

8. Timeline & Milestones

Public-facing timeline helps people understand the development stages.

2025–2026: Founding Family cooperative phase (pilot enrichment, parent-led, seasonal program exemption)

2026: Official launch as licensed, accredited enrichment program

2026–2030: Program development, curriculum refinement, community growth, and preparation for private school accreditation

Approx. 2030-2031: Goal of becoming a fully accredited private school with dual options:

  • Full-time private school enrollment

  • Enrichment-only track for students who remain in online programs or wish to participate only in field trips, etiquette training, college prep, and testing support (after-school model)

VOLUNTARY PROGRAM NOTICE: The Founding Families Program is a completely voluntary opportunity. Families may choose to enroll in our standard tuition-based programs without participating in this special program. Once enrolled it is binding for the first year through mutual contract negotiation.

All students receive identical educational services regardless of Founding Families participation. This program provides recognition only, not financial benefits or preferential treatment.

Limited Photo/Video Use

Photos may be used only for:

  • Founding families display wall (with permission)

  • Historical archives (with permission)

  • School yearbook (with permission)

  • Social media posts for student leadership

Community Building Activities

Founding Families are invited to participate in:

  • School tradition development committees

  • Founding year documentation activities

  • Community education events

  • School culture initiatives

  • Historical archive contributions

    • Use of uniform is expected at community events and fieldtrips

      Any student activities will be:

      • Educational in nature

      • Age-appropriate

      • Foster a sense of community

      • Create better community leaders

      Standard Code of Conduct

      All students follow the same Academy Code of Conduct regardless of program participation.

      6.2 No Special Requirements

      Founding Families students have:

      • Same behavioral expectations as all students

      • Same uniform/dress code as all students

      • Same attendance requirements as all students

Dashwood Academy may:

  • Modify program with 30 days notice

  • Discontinue program if needed

  • Change recognition benefits

  • Update activities offered