My kids were here for about 3 years. We went through Team 1, 2, 3, and TK! We've done it all, and I…read morecan't recommend it strongly enough. I felt like it was a privilege my kids got to be at such a great school with teachers who genuinely give their all and love the kids. They are all wonderful, with some of them being so magical they feel like something out of a storybook.
My older child had been in an accredited Montessori school prior to Discovery, and he ended up being very behind academically. Not only did his teachers from Team 3 (pre-k) and TK flag the issue early on, they also put in extra time to try and help get him caught up. This was their personal time they gave him when they could have gone home or probably enjoyed a slightly longer break. My kids learn SO much here and they have fun doing it. It's play based, but the kids learn and love to learn.
The enrichments that they offer and are included in the program, mostly funded through the DSPA, are second to none. And the community at the school is fantastic. The more you take part in school functions and volunteer, the more you'll feel the community.
Leaving the school is so hard, not just for us, but for lots of families, because it's just the best. Most families go on to "top tier" private schools, and some do public schools, but I would say the public school families are a much smaller portion of the school. We never felt like anybody judged our choices one way or another.
Eyde runs the school, and keeps it running like a well-oiled machine. She always listens to parents when they come to her and treats everybody with warmth and kindness. She also is there to help guide you if you want to go the private school route, so you end up at the school that is right for you. She's incredibly knowledgeable in this department.
And last but not least, the campus. It's huge! A friend of mine referred to it as feeling like something out of Willy Wonka. They have slides, monkey bars, play structures, swings, a meditation yurt (it sounded ridiculous to me when I first saw it, but my son did come home and meditate so judge for yourself), a petting zoo (If I remember correctly there are miniature ponies, a pig, birds, and tourtises) etc... There is so much room for them to run and play, and they never get bored of it.
There was never a day that went by where I worried about my children's safety, whether or not they were learning, or if they were having fun. My kids were full-time students and stayed for extended care. They spent almost as much time with my kids as I do, and I'm glad my kids got to spend that time with them.
We drove almost 30 minutes each way to take our kids to go to Discovery, and I would do it all over again. If you're lucky enough to snag a spot at the school, take it. It's worth every penny!