Our School

• Written language is a code of abstract symbols and students with dyslexia have varying degrees of difficulty deciphering that code. Dyslexia exists wherever there is written language, regardless of race, gender, culture, or socioeconomic status.

• Children with dyslexia are intelligent, highly creative, outside-the-box thinkers with a wide range of natural aptitudes and gifts.

• Students with dyslexia can master the essential skills of reading and written expression and excel academically.

• Research-driven, multisensory, individualized instruction is the way all students, and especially students with dyslexia, learn best.

• Small class sizes ensure optimal teacher engagement, individualized instruction, and student participation.

• Every student deserves to feel confident and secure enough to take the risks and make the effort that learning requires.

• High academic standards and an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) prepare students to embrace the challenges of our complex and increasingly technology-dependent world.

• Passionate, expert instructors teaching what they know and love best ensures that students receive the highest quality education possible.

Rawson Saunders was established in 1997 by a consortium of educators and parents determined to fill the need for a new, innovative school in which dyslexic students could thrive. Margaret Byrd Rawson (1899-2001) and Roger E. Saunders (1924-2006), preeminent pioneers in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of dyslexia, graciously lent their names and support to the new school. Both were instrumental in the founding of what now is known as the International Dyslexia Association, formerly the Orton Society. Margaret was the Orton Society's national president through the 1960s. She worked closely with Dr. Samuel T. Orton, who identified dyslexia as a medical diagnosis in 1925 and who co-founded the Orton-Gillingham research-proven teaching methods for dyslexic students that Rawson Saunders uses to this day. Margaret wrote nine books and countless articles on dyslexia. She remained an authority on dyslexia and tireless advocate of dyslexia awareness until her death in 2001 at the age of 102. Roger Saunders was a psychologist, dyslexia expert, and dyslexia awareness advocate who sought to educate teachers, parents, and students that dyslexia was neurological and not an emotional or intelligence issue as was previously believed. Roger had studied under June Orton, widow of Samuel T. Orton, and served as the president of the International Dyslexia Association for six years in the 1970s. He made several visits to the Rawson Saunders school in its early development to help shape its mission, and also worked to further dyslexia awareness in the Austin area.

The Board of Trustees generously volunteer their time and talents for the benefit of this and future generations of Rawson Saunders students.

Hal Jagger, Chair
Keith Buchanan, Treasurer
Karen Rabon, Secretary
Shelly Bain
Chris Hunt
Tala Matchett
Lisa Michaux
Lucy Nazro
Jason Pitts
Catherine Scott
Susan Seale
Travis West
Lisle Whitworth
Al York
Laura Steinbach, Head of School, ex officio

Rawson Saunders School values the beautiful diversity of our community and of our world, and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. In addition, Rawson Saunders seeks to provide a superior education to students of all socio-economic backgrounds. Rawson Saunders is strongly committed to an inclusive environment which honors the uniqueness of each individual's background, values, and point of view.

Rawson Saunders is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability.

https://www.rawsonsaunders.org strives to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA. These recommendations outline how to make website content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities. We are on a regular basis seeking opportunities to bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility.

Most popular browsers and plugins contain built-in accessibility tools and features. For more information, please visit the accessibility information pages for these tools:

• Google Accessibility for Chrome Browser

• Microsoft Accessibility for Internet Explorer Browser

• Accessibility Information for the Firefox Browser

• Accessibility Information for Adobe PDF Reader

In addition, we support assistive screen reader technology from JAWS, NVDA, and Apple VoiceOver.

If for any reason you cannot access any of the material on our website, please email communications@rawsonsaunders.org and we will work to resolve the problem as soon as possible.