Don Watson Academy
Fostering Growth and Learning
Don Watson Academy is dedicated to the growth and learning of students by providing a safe, therapeutic environment that enhances the quality of life of each individual student. As a day school serving students ages 9-21 with social and emotional disabilities, we foster personal growth while also valuing excellence in individual achievement.
High standards of excellence are promoted by staff and students alike to enable 21st Century Learners to explore, create, and apply knowledge. As educators, we encourage students to replace negative behaviors with positive actions and foster personal and social growth. Our dedicated staff celebrate each student's uniqueness and go above and beyond to meet their academic and behavioral needs. At DWA, a positive culture welcomes everyone from the moment they enter the school each day.
Who We Serve
We proudly serve students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities using a trauma-responsive approach. Our team focuses on developing student attitudes and actions that promote problem-solving, independence, and academic achievement.
Our team recognizes that out-of-district placement decisions are difficult ones, and we want families to know that we consider our approved 766 special education schools to be extensions of a local school district’s services. We work collaboratively with nearly 100 school districts across New England to provide specialized educational and therapeutic services for our students to enable them to become connected, capable, and healthy.
We are able to serve many different students well, but we have special expertise in these profiles or histories:
Anxiety Disorders (e.g., Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder)
Bipolar Disorders
Depressive Disorders (e.g., Disruptive Mood Dysregulation, Major Depressive, Persistent Depressive)
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders (e.g., Post-Traumatic Stress, Reactive Attachment, Disinhibited Social Engagement)
Executive Dysfunction Disorder
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (e.g., Specific Learning, Attention-Deficit Disorder, Social or Pragmatic Communication, High-functioning Autism Spectrum)
Capacity to express thoughts and emotions verbally, process and reflect on feelings and events
Highlights
12-month Educational Program
45-day Extended Evaluations
Small Class Size
Low Student-to-Teacher Ratios
Sensory Integration
Adventure Education: Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Caving, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, State-of-the-Art Challenge by Choice Adventure Course
Character Education and Social Skills Curriculum
Speech & Language Therapy
Clinical Services
Personal Story
Christopher Fawcett
As a young boy, Christopher Fawcett faced some tough obstacles. He was surrounded by drug and alcohol use and criminal behavior, and was subjected to abuse. His home lacked the structure, safety, and affection a child needs.
Chris came to us as a residential student when he was nine years old and attended RFK Lancaster School, now Don Watson Academy. Here, he found the support and guidance he needed as he navigated through his pre-adolescent years.
“Having companionship, role models, and people who cared about me definitely had a positive impact on my childhood development,” Chris observed. “Every year, the campus would host a big, outdoor get-together with games and food. We would do an egg toss and potato sack races and many other activities that really helped us build friendships — some of which have become life-long ones.”
That was more than 30 years ago. Today, Chris is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Needham Fire Department and the proud father of twin girls. In addition to his firefighter duties, Chris also stepped up to lend support during the COVID-19 crisis, working as a respiratory therapist at Newton Wellesley Hospital.
The kindness and dedication of the teachers and staff is what made the difference for Chris. And they are proud to know that their work has inspired him to do the same for others.
As a young boy, Christopher Fawcett faced some tough obstacles. He was surrounded by drug and alcohol use and criminal behavior, and was subjected to abuse. His home lacked the structure, safety, and affection a child needs.
Chris came to us as a residential student when he was nine years old and attended RFK Lancaster School, now Don Watson Academy. Here, he found the support and guidance he needed as he navigated through his pre-adolescent years.
“Having companionship, role models, and people who cared about me definitely had a positive impact on my childhood development,” Chris observed. “Every year, the campus would host a big, outdoor get-together with games and food. We would do an egg toss and potato sack races and many other activities that really helped us build friendships — some of which have become life-long ones.”
The kindness and dedication of the teachers and staff is what made the difference for Chris. And they are proud to know that their work has inspired him to do the same for others.
That was more than 30 years ago. Today, Chris is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Needham Fire Department and the proud father of twin girls. In addition to his firefighter duties, Chris also stepped up to lend support during the COVID-19 crisis, working as a respiratory therapist at Newton Wellesley Hospital.
The kindness and dedication of the teachers and staff is what made the difference for Chris. And they are proud to know that their work has inspired him to do the same for others.
We're here for you.
For current families and caregivers, please reach out to:
Dian Heinz
Administrative Assistant
978-365-2511
For families or districts interested in learning more about DWA, please reach out to our admissions team:
Deanna King (she/her/hers)
and Jennifer McGrail (she/her/hers)
A Learning Mindset
Like those we serve, we seek to learn on a daily basis, from best practices, real time experiences, and each other.
