Capital Campaign

Making Dawson Sheen a reality.

History

Dear Friend of Dawson Sheen Academy,

We are excited to share a plan that addresses two pressing community needs. Many residents have expressed a desire for a high school that educates their children and grandchildren's minds, bodies, and character.

In response to these concerns, a local group of business, educational, and religious leaders has proposed to acquire and establish a new location for Dawson Sheen Academy, an independent Catholic high school. This proposal offers our residents a new educational opportunity in a beautiful venue at an affordable cost.

Dawson Sheen Academy is named after Christopher Dawson, the first Chauncey Stillman Professor of Catholic Studies at Harvard University and the Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen. Our academy will remain loyal to Catholic faith and morals. We have the support of Father Bjorn Lundberg, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, who said, "This initiative, Dawson Sheen Academy, is a tremendous blessing for the Valley and our Community. We prayerfully support these efforts to educate our children in excellence and virtue for years to come.”

The founding Headmaster of Dawson Sheen Academy is Charles D. Presberg. He holds a PhD in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University and earned a BA in History and Philosophy from the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain. With 45 years of experience as a teacher, scholar, and administrator at both university and secondary school levels, Dr. Presberg has designed the Academy's core curriculum. It includes the study of liberal arts, as well as training in business and the trades. Dr. Presberg and the Dawson Sheen faculty will work closely with community leaders to develop elective courses, apprenticeships, and a variety of internships for which students receive credit toward their diplomas.

The concept of an academic-vocational institution is uncommon; only a few schools in the US are based on a blend of academic and vocational training. In addition to its solid academics, the school will offer sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, rugby, field hockey, skiing, and horsemanship.

Dawson Sheen Academy will welcome its first class of 40 high school students in September 2025. We plan to increase the total enrollment to 160 by September 2028. As a Co-Institutional school, the academy will recruit its first class of 40 students (20 girls and 20 boys) from students completing eighth grade at local schools.

As listed below, Dawson Sheen Academy has established a Board of Curators to oversee all matters related to its educational mission. The academy has also formed an Executive Board responsible for managing all financial and property-related affairs. Within the Executive Board are committees dealing with advancement and finances.

We are contacting you to start a vital project that serves our local community and provides quality education for our children. We believe in your passion for this cause and invite you to help us enhance the community and offer our children the necessary knowledge, skills, and morals to lead fulfilling lives—lives devoted to faith, family, community, and excellence in work.

Our objective is to raise $2 million within the next twelve months. The funds will be used to find a location, general property maintenance, financial aid, and faculty salaries.To achieve this goal, we kindly ask you to consider making an initial contribution ranging from $500 to $50,000.

Feel free to contact me with any questions and to learn more about Dawson Sheen Academy. You may reach me by phone or email at (540) 837-1375 or cdborel@gmail.com.

Thank you very much for your kind support of this exciting endeavor. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Dawson Sheen Academy holds 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with the IRS. Donations to the school are fully tax-deductible. Dawson Sheen Academy, Inc. is also registered with the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Click here to learn more about Dawson Sheen Academy.

Sincerely,

Celeste D. Borel

Co-Founder

Dawson Sheen Academy

cc: Charles D. Presberg

Co-Founder

Dawson Sheen Academy

cdpresberg@gmail.com

Board of Curators:

Lisa Anthony-Price

Celeste Borel

Fr. Bjorn Lundberg

Charles Presberg, PhD

Belinda Schiavoni

Robert Schiavoni, Esq.

Beth Schloemer

Thomas Yannucci, Esq.

Executive Board:

Lisa Anthony-Price

Celeste Borel

Fr. Bjorn Lundberg

Joseph Mikus, MD

Charles D. Presberg, PhD

Beth Schloemer

Amanda Slate

Finance Committee:

Lisa Anthony-Price

Orlando Avilés

Celeste Borel

Fr. Bjorn Lundberg

Charles Presberg, PhD

Beth Schloemer

Patty Tracy

Advancement Committee:

Lisa Anthony-Price

Orlando Avilés

Celeste Borel

Victoria Hughes

Terrence Giroux

Barbara Keebler

Fr. Bjorn Lundberg

Paul Magness

Greeley Myers

Charles Presberg, PhD

Theodore Wills

Greg Demski (Project Manager).

Capital Campaign

Making Dawson Sheen a reality!

Team Members