Regina Watts knew her son was dyslexic. Even so, a simple writing task reminded her what he was up against. It was time to sign Valentine's Day cards. Mom and son were at the kitchen table. There are just six letters in his name: D a n i e l

She could see the effort and pain as he spelled his name in countless combinations of letters. This was second grade. What would follow? Regina knew they had to make a change.

What did follow was a trip to Carroll School. At the end of the tour, Daniel said something Regina still remembers.

“Mom, there are kids like me here.”

A few months later, Daniel would start at the Lower School with those newfound peers. Over the next six years his parents and his grandparents, David and Beverly Watts, witnessed his growth with great relief, pride, and gratitude. They made their first annual gift in 2003 and long after Daniel graduated, the Watts family remained connected. Brad served on Carroll’s Board of Trustees for nearly a decade. David and Beverly joined a group of generous donors who helped support the purchase of the Lower School property.

As David made plans for how to direct charitable giving from his estate, he sought the input of his children. The resulting $4 million bequest from the Watts family is transformational – and the largest endowment gift in Carroll School’s history. Creating the Watts Family Scholarship Fund advances the pace for building the endowment to support access for those who need Carroll.

In a 2019 interview, David Watts spoke with pride about how Carroll truly changed his grandson’s trajectory. “As I watch Dan find gratification and success in his career and in life, I believe it all goes back to the start he got at Carroll,” David said. “It’s hard for me to imagine what Dan’s life, and indeed our own lives, would have been like without it.”

A Family Commitment  

A commitment to education runs deep in the Watts family. Today, Daniel is continuing his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and is working on an MBA.

Daniel’s older sister, Elizabeth, was inspired by her mother and Daniel to become an educator. Elizabeth completed Orton-Gillingham training at Carroll and teaches second grade in public school. Regina was a public school principal until her recent retirement.

David earned degrees from Harvard University and Dartmouth College before building a career in asset management. He and his wife, Beverly, generously supported organizations and universities that they felt were impacting lives and society.

Brad and Regina know how challenging it can be for many families to access the special expertise their children require.

Approached with the opportunity to steer David’s gift, it was clear to them that it should be dedicated to financial assistance.

David Watts believed in the power of education and the power of Carroll School. His $4 million estate gift will change the lives of generations of Carroll students. The Board of Trustees is profoundly grateful to the Watts family for this generous and historic gift.

Rena Clarke P’19
Carroll School Trustee & Treasurer