Admissions

Lower School students smiling

Who Should Apply

Rawson Saunders serves students with dyslexia in grades 1 through 12. Rawson Saunders also provides support for students who experience dysgraphia or dyscalculia in addition to dyslexia. Our students demonstrate curiosity, cooperation, and intelligence. Self-control and respectfulness are expected. Please note that Rawson Saunders is not equipped to serve students who require significant accommodations and supports related to behaviors and conduct. A pattern of behavioral challenges may result in termination of enrollment.

The Rawson Saunders admissions process is designed to identify, through dialog with parents and professionals, those students who will benefit most from our specialized approach to teaching and learning. Through a multi-step process, we become acquainted with each prospective student and their unique academic abilities and needs.

Attendance at a Rawson Saunders Admissions Information Session is encouraged for all Lower School and Middle School prospective parents/guardians. Admissions Information Session dates are listed on the right—to reserve a spot, please SUBMIT THIS RSVP FORM. If you are interested in our Upper School or have any questions, please email admissions@rawsonsaunders.org.

 

How to Apply

Click below for details and the link to our online application.

Steps for Applying to Rawson Saunders

Step 1

Completion and submission of the online application with supporting documents and application fee.

First CREATE AN ACCOUNT HERE. Once logged in, select the Admissions Progress tab where you will find a checklist of items that will need to be completed. To submit the application, simply click the Fill Out button and complete the application form. Once submitted, you will receive an email with a confirmation of your submission and a copy of your application for your records. Our Admissions Office will contact you once the application has been received.

  • A completed admissions file includes the following required documentation for a student to be considered at Rawson Saunders:
    • A psycho-educational assessment by a licensed professional.
    • Two teacher reference forms—Language Arts and Math. You can send these forms directly to the teachers from the online system.
    • A copy of the student's most recent report card, including conduct grades and/or comments.
    • Reports from any other educational service providers who work with the student. This may include speech, occupational, or physical therapists; special education teachers; academic language therapists; or other tutors. If the student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) at their current school, please include a copy.
      All of these documents can be uploaded to the online system.

Step 2

Parent/Guardian Consultation

The Admissions Committee reviews each completed file and invites the parents/guardians of qualifying students to meet with the admissions staff and tour the campus. Parents may also attend an Admissions Information Session to fulfill this requirement.

Step 3

Two-Day Student Shadow Visit

Students whose profiles are determined to be well-suited to Rawson Saunders’ academic program may then schedule a two-day visit to enable the grade-level teaching team to assess in a natural classroom environment the student’s “fit” for Rawson Saunders.

Step 4

Admissions Decision

The admissions committee carefully reviews all paperwork and teacher feedback following each student’s visit. Additional information may be requested from parents/guardians. The admissions office will notify parents/guardians by phone of the decision. Those wishing to accept an offer of admissions will then submit enrollment paperwork and a non-refundable deposit to secure a place. In the event no open spots are available, accepted students may be placed on a waiting list.


 

Affording a Rawson Saunders Education

Tuition and Fees

An investment in a Rawson Saunders education is an investment in your child's future. Small classes and challenging academics, including internationally recognized math and science programs, daily Academic Language Therapy, and athletic, musical and creative opportunities, are designed to facilitate dyslexic students' academic achievement and social and emotional development and lay a solid foundation for future academic success.

2019-2020 Tuition Chart

There is a $250 application fee. An initial payment of the new student fee, the materials fee, and a $2875 nonrefundable deposit (toward the annual tuition) is due on acceptance of an offer of admission. Tuition is payable monthly, semi-annually, or annually through Smart Tuition. The new student fee includes the purchase of an iPad (for grades 1-8) with accompanying case and apps as required for school. Other expenses not included in tuition and fees include the purchase of a laptop (grades 9-12) as well as field trips fees and Middle School sports participation fees.

Financial Aid

Rawson Saunders is committed to assisting families demonstrating financial need. 

Create an account with SMART AID to start an application for Financial Aid. Click here for detailed instructions, the list of required documents, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Click here for our Financial Aid policies.

Education Loans

Student Loans

Some private banks offer low-interest student loans.

Tax Credits

Special Education Tax Deduction

Rawson Saunders tuition may be tax-deductible for your family as a medical expense. Click here for an article explaining possible tax benefits for parents/guardians of dyslexic and ADHD students.

  • IRS publication 502, under the heading of Special Education, states:
    You can include in medical expenses the cost (tuition, meals, and lodging) of attending a school that furnishes special education to help a child to overcome learning disabilities. A doctor must recommend that the child attend the school. Overcoming the learning disabilities must be a principal reason for attending the school and any other ordinary education received must be incidental to the special education provided.
  • Under the heading of Transportation, the publication states:
    You can include in medical expenses amounts paid for the transportation for, and essential to, medical care... You can include out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil, when you use a car for medical reasons. You can't include depreciation, insurance, general repair, or maintenance expenses. If you do not want to use your actual expenses...you can use the standard mileage rate...You can also include parking fees and tolls. You can add these fees and tolls to your medical expenses whether you use actual expanses or use the standard mileage rate.

Please check out the IRS publication at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf and speak to your tax professional about your family's eligibility for this deduction.


 


 

Parent Testimonials

Rawson Saunders truly changed her life. The faculty and staff equipped her to succeed academically and equipped her with the skills she needs to advocate for herself. You showed her that she is smart and talented. You imbued her with confidence and helped her find happiness in school, something that had not been possible before Rawson Saunders.

My son is bright, cheerful, and kindhearted. I watched him not only fall behind in public school but lose some of that bright, kind spirit as he struggled to read and write. The second day of school at Rawson Saunders my son said his favorite subject was now Language Arts. "Because I'm learning and they are really patient," he said. Think about it, this was the second day of school... The third day he came home and read me a book. I cried. My son read a book. Without any push. It wasn't easy for him but he did it. For us Rawson Saunders has been a life changer not just for today but for the future.

Rawson Saunders is truly a lifeline for my son— academically, athletically and socially. He is growing into a confident outstanding young man thanks in no small part to the exceptional environment that Rawson Saunders has created for dyslexic learners like him. 

Rawson Saunders has changed the trajectory for our family and for our son. I am confident that he now possesses the skills to develop into his full potential. It has by far been the best investment we have ever made.

In this magic place you unlock the secret of words. But more than that, you help them touch their own humanity. They go from children who are wounded and need help to the ones who bend and stoop and stop to help. You have cultivated a culture of kindness.

The benefits to having skilled educators combined with a classroom of only dyslexic students cannot be overstated—it is like a magic potion for kids. My kiddo is above grade level for math, and working toward grade level in reading (a miracle). She is genuinely happy in a way I just have to appreciate and admire.

Rawson Saunders will always have a special place in our hearts as the school that taught us that our son's disadvantages are actually advantages.  He is proud of who he is and knows he is capable of so much. Thank you to the administrators, the talented and caring teachers, and the close friends that make up our Rawson Saunders family.

As with her older brother, Rawson Saunders has had a life-changing positive impact on our daughter's self-esteem, confidence, and growth. We will always be thankful.

It's been a true gift and we'll always be grateful that Rawson Saunders got our son to this point where he's a confident, enthusiastic learner.

We are so grateful for our time at Rawson Saunders. It's a beautiful school, filled with lovely teachers, staff and students… Thank you for all you did for our family.

Rawson Saunders was an amazing experience for my son. It gave him the tools and the confidence to engage in his education.

Rawson Saunders has been a blessing to both our boy and us, his parents. We will always be grateful for the love and personal attention he has received.

So grateful for all the academic growth and loving teachers. Will always treasure our years at Rawson Saunders.

Rawson Saunders has made a world of difference on our lives.

Rawson Saunders has been a blessing beyond words.

Admissions Information Sessions

Admissions Information Sessions are parent-only.

Sessions begin at 9:30 AM and conclude at 11:30 AM. 

To reserve a spot, please submit this rSVP form.


For those interested in our Upper School, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

Request Information

For more information or if you have any questions, please call (512) 476-8382, email admissions@rawsonsaunders.org.

Rawson Saunders
Office of Admission
2614A Exposition Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78703