Dashwood Academy Preparatory is on an exciting journey from parent-led co-op to enrichment nonprofit to fully accredited private preparatory school. While community demand and interest are exceeding expectations, we're committed to sustainable, strategic growth that ensures excellence at every stage.

Our realistic timeline:

• 2026-2029+: Operating as an enrichment nonprofit organization

• 2029+ (minimum 3 years): Transition to full private school status

This timeline is based on the availability of key leadership currently committed in the Seattle area, whose expertise and leadership are essential to achieving full accreditation. We're not rushing—we're building something that will last for generations.

Phase One: Enrichment Nonprofit (2026-2029+)

For the first few years, Dashwood Academy Prep will operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit enrichment organization serving students who are independently enrolled in accredited online programs (primarily Connections Academy).

Why Start as an Enrichment Nonprofit?

Strategic Benefits:

• Immediate access to grant funding for educational programming

• Tax-deductible donations from supporters

• Nonprofit status demonstrates community accountability

• Allows us to serve more families through scholarship funding

• Builds financial sustainability before full school operations

• Tests and refines our model with lower operational complexity

• Establishes track record for accreditation process

What This Means: During our enrichment nonprofit phase, we focus exclusively on supplementary programming—not replacing students' primary academics, but enhancing them with:

• College preparation

• Character education

• Cultural experiences

• Leadership development

• Academic support

• Community building

Planned Programming as Enrichment Nonprofit

College Preparation Programming

• College application guidance and essay support

• SAT/ACT test preparation

• College visit coordination and planning

• Scholarship application assistance

• Academic portfolio development

• Interview preparation

• College major and career exploration

• Financial aid guidance

Academic Enrichment

• Tutoring across all subject areas

• Advanced topic seminars

• Study skills and time management workshops

• Research methods and academic writing

• Critical thinking and debate

• STEM enrichment activities

• Humanities discussion groups

Character Education & Leadership

• House system participation and competition

• Student Prefect leadership opportunities

• Community service projects

• Ethical reasoning and decision-making

• Public speaking and presentation skills

• Team building and collaboration

• Conflict resolution and mediation

Cultural & Experiential Learning

• Field trips to museums, theaters, and cultural institutions

• Partnerships with Seattle Opera, Spokane museums, local venues

• Art and music appreciation experiences

• Historical site visits

• Science center and planetarium trips

• College campus tours

• Professional workplace visits

Social & Community Building

• Regular cohort gatherings

• House activities and traditions

• Seasonal celebrations and events

• Parent community nights

• Student showcases and presentations

• Mentorship programs (older students with younger)

Community Programming (Revenue-Generating)

• After-school tutoring services for community students

• Summer enrichment camps

• Test prep courses (SAT, ACT, AP exams)

• Adult education offerings

• Community education workshops

• Facility rentals to support other organizations

Our Roadmap: Where We're Going

Phase 1: Co-Op Foundation (Current - 2025) ✓

Status: Complete and exceeding expectations!

• Established parent-led cooperative structure

• Built founding family cohort

• Developed house system and character education framework

• Created partnerships with cultural institutions

• Established governance board with local and external members

• Launched social media presence led by student Prefects

• Began volunteer-run enrichment programming

Phase 2: Enrichment Nonprofit Launch (2026-2027)

Status: In active development

• Establish 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

• Official enrichment program launch (Fall 2026)

• Comprehensive college prep programming

• Expanded cultural partnerships and field trips

• Regular tutoring and academic support

• House system fully implemented

• Student leadership through Prefects

• Community events and showcases

• Open enrollment beyond founding families

• Begin grant applications and fundraising

• Transition from volunteer-run to hiring first paid staff

Phase 3: Enrichment Nonprofit Expansion (2027-2029)

Building capacity, reputation, and sustainability

• Expand professional staff for key programs

• Grow programming: after-school tutoring, summer camps, adult education

• Secure permanent facility space

• Build robust grant funding portfolio

• Establish strong college placement track record

• Demonstrate community impact for future accreditation

• Add specialized programming based on community needs

• Develop financial reserves and endowment

• Strengthen partnerships with colleges and cultural institutions

Phase 4: Private School Transition Begins (2029+)

When founder transitions enable full-time local leadership

• Maintain nonprofit status (transitioning to private school nonprofit)

• Begin accreditation application process

• Hire certified teachers with content-area degrees (master's preferred)

• Develop comprehensive curriculum across all subjects

• Transition from enrichment supplement to offering some primary courses

• Expand facilities to include classrooms, labs, specialized spaces

• Build administrative infrastructure for full school operations

Phase 5: Full Private School Accreditation (3+ Years Minimum from Transition Start)

Becoming Dashwood Academy Preparatory School

• Achieve full private school accreditation

• Offer Dashwood diplomas recognized by colleges nationwide

• Complete faculty hiring across all disciplines

• Operate as fully independent preparatory school

• Continue nonprofit status with expanded mission

• Maintain commitment to accessibility through sliding-scale tuition and scholarships

Why High Demand But a Realistic Timeline?

The Acceleration: Community response has been overwhelming. Families are hungry for:

• Alternatives to traditional schooling

• College-prep focus with character development

• World-class opportunities without leaving Moses Lake

• Accessible, affordable educational excellence

• A values-centered learning community

The Reality: One of our main founders, essential to achieving full private school accreditation, is committed to work in the Seattle area. This geographic reality means:

• A hard minimum of 3+ years before full private school status can begin

• Strategic use of enrichment nonprofit phase to build strong foundation

• Careful, phased development that doesn't compromise quality

• Building systems, reputation, and resources that will sustain transition

Why This Is Actually Perfect:

Operating as an enrichment nonprofit FIRST allows us to: ✓ Serve students immediately with high-quality programming
✓ Access grant funding unavailable to for-profits or co-ops
✓ Build community reputation and demonstrate impact
✓ Develop operational systems with lower complexity
✓ Create financial sustainability before full school expenses
✓ Test and refine our model with real students and families
✓ Establish partnerships that will strengthen accreditation applications
✓ Build enrollment pipeline of families ready for private school phase

What This Timeline Means for Students

For Students Enrolled 2026-2029+ (Enrichment Nonprofit Phase):

Your students will benefit from:

• Exceptional enrichment programming complementing online education

• Strong college preparation resulting in competitive college admissions

• Character development through house system and leadership

• Cultural experiences typically unavailable in Moses Lake

• Tight-knit community of motivated, college-bound peers

• Affordable access through nonprofit sliding-scale fees and scholarships

• Programming supported by grants and donations

Your students will receive:

• Diplomas from their online accredited program (Connections Academy, etc.)

• Supplementary enrichment and support from Dashwood nonprofit

• College prep services resulting in strong college admissions outcomes

Your students will NOT receive (yet):

• Dashwood diplomas

• Full-time in-person instruction replacing online school

• Traditional school facilities (though we'll use community resources strategically)

For Future Students (2029+, After Private School Transition):

Students enrolling after our private school transition will experience:

• Full private preparatory school with Dashwood diplomas

• Certified teachers across all content areas

• Complete curriculum designed by Dashwood

• Purpose-built educational facilities

• All the benefits of our enrichment model PLUS comprehensive academics

• Continued nonprofit status ensuring accessibility through scholarships

Nonprofit Status: What It Means for Families

Immediate Benefits:

Tax-Deductible Donations: Supporters can make tax-deductible contributions to help fund scholarships and programming

Grant Funding Access: We can apply for federal, state, and foundation grants unavailable to for-profit organizations

Scholarship Opportunities: Nonprofit status enables us to offer need-based scholarships funded by grants and donations

Community Accountability: As a 501(c)(3), we operate with board oversight and public transparency

Long-Term Sustainability: Nonprofit structure ensures mission remains focused on students, not profit

Enhanced Credibility: Nonprofit status demonstrates commitment to educational mission and community service

Financial Sustainability Model

As an enrichment nonprofit, our revenue comes from:

Program Fees (Sliding Scale)

• Enrichment program tuition based on family ability to pay

• After-school tutoring services

• Summer camps and specialty programs

• Test prep courses

Grants

• Federal education grants (21st Century Community Learning Centers, etc.)

• State education funding

• Local foundation grants

• National education nonprofit grants

Donations

• Individual donors (tax-deductible)

• Corporate sponsors

• Alumni giving (future)

• Annual giving campaigns

Community Programming

• Adult education course fees

• Facility rentals to community organizations

• Workshop and seminar fees

This diversified funding ensures we can serve students regardless of family income while building reserves for our eventual private school transition.

Our Commitment Remains Unchanged

Whether we're an enrichment nonprofit in 2026 or a fully accredited preparatory school in 2030+, our values never change:

Accessibility: Sliding-scale fees and scholarships for all economic backgrounds

High Independence, High Expectations: Empowering students with rigorous standards

Diversity and Inclusion: Every student valued and supported

Classical Meets Modern: Time-tested principles with contemporary innovation

College Success: Every participant prepared for higher education

Community Connection: Built for and with Moses Lake families

Nonprofit Mission: Always focused on students and community, never on profit

How You Can Be Part of the Journey

For Families:

• Join as a Founding Family: Help build our enrichment nonprofit from the ground up

• Join the Waiting List: Secure your spot for 2026 enrichment programming

• Trust the Process: Understand that strategic, phased growth serves students best

For Educators:

• Volunteer Now: Contribute during establishment phase

• Apply for Positions: We'll begin hiring staff as we launch the nonprofit

• Stay Connected: More hiring opportunities as we grow and transition to private school

For Community Members & Donors:

• Make Tax-Deductible Donations: Support scholarships and programming

• Partner With Us: Organizational partnerships and sponsorships

• Spread the Word: Connect us with families who'd benefit

• Volunteer Your Expertise: Board service, advisory roles, mentorship

For Grant Makers & Foundations:

• Fund Our Mission: Partner with us to bring educational excellence to underserved Moses Lake families

• Support Innovation: Help us prove this enrichment nonprofit model

The Bottom Line

High demand + nonprofit enrichment phase + realistic timeline = sustainable excellence.

We're taking the smartest path:

1. Now: Parent-led co-op building foundation

2. 2026-2029+: Enrichment nonprofit serving students with exceptional programming

3. 2029+: Private preparatory school with full accreditation

This isn't the fastest path. It's the RIGHT path.

Our enrichment nonprofit will change students' lives TODAY while building toward something even greater. Students don't have to wait for excellence—they get it immediately through our programming. They just receive their diplomas from partner online schools until we achieve private school status.

The timeline is minimum 3+ years to full private school status, but the impact starts in 2026 with a mission-driven nonprofit that puts students first.

Ready to Join the Journey?

📧 community@dashwoodschool.org
📱 Follow: @Dashwoodheadmaster | @the_prefects_of_DashwoodAP
🌐 dashwoodacademyprep.org

Dashwood Academy Prep: Enriching lives today. Building tomorrow's school with integrity.