The Discovery Preparatory School

2a Liberty

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

7 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 27, 2021

Our daughter has been attending Discovery for seven months and the transformation from a C student to an A/B student has been incredible. The discussion based learning has been a turning point and has given her so much confidence to now enjoy education to a much fuller extent.The small class sizes allow for this progressive type of education , but the teachers make such a difference, the Discovery teachers are so engaging and interactive with the students, using practical learning like building a catapult to teach math or a go cart to teach physics, such a joy to see kids get excited about education. Whisking them off on educational trips to the mountains or beach is beyond what any public school could fathom.The principal is a very attentive, engaging and always there for the students and parents to chat when needed. We will enjoy seeing the school grow and flourish and become an even greater gem than it is now. We're so grateful to of discovered Discovery!
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2021

Small, creative and vibrant environment that re-instills a passion and love of learning in teenagers.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2021

We moved from out of state, Discovery Prep has been the perfect landing pad for our Children. The staff and students work wonders together, creating an inspiring place to learn. Some days I wish I was the student heading through the gates, the joy comes from seeing our 6th grader and 9th grader jump into the car at the end of the day full of confidence. Thank you to the team of dedicated, fun and hard working staff that have reignited the love of learning in both our children.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2019

Our son, a freshman, is in his second year at Discovery Prep, and nearly every day my husband and I remark on how happy we are that we found this little gem of a school. Our son attended 7th grade at our local public middle school where he was “bored”, felt “anonymous” and felt like his teachers “didn’t care” about him or about teaching. The opposite is true at Discovery Prep where the learning (yes, actual learning rather than rote memorization in service of scoring well on standardized tests) is high-engagement, immersive and conducted by teachers who truly care. The curriculum meets University of CA requirements and then some. In addition to the traditional academic subjects taught in traditional as well as creative ways (in Physics, the kids build a catapult and calculate mass, velocity and acceleration by launching objects; Literature, taught as a small-group seminar, has the students writing every day), the students pursue 5 six-week projects (“Quests”) and regularly perform community service. Raising a teenager is hard work, and, let’s face it, our teens spend far more of their waking hours away from us than with us. It gives us great comfort that the Discovery Prep faculty act as mentors to the students and partners with families in the common mission of helping our teens build confidence, character and purpose. All this boils down to what may be the most striking contrast with our son’s prior school: the students are happy to be at school and the teachers exhibit joy in working with them. Maybe it’s as simple as that.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2018

We feel so fortunate that our son was accepted to Discovery Preparatory School this year. Clint Davis, the school's founder and director, combines his years of experience as an educator, mentor, and college advisor with his vision of creating an intentional, compassionate community in a well balanced, collaborative environment. Students are valued as unique individuals with the potential and initiative to take responsibility for their own learning in a rigorous academic setting with the highest caliber of teachers. Academics are well balanced with physical sports, the arts, and electives. Subjects are integrated and take place both in the classroom and out in the community. Environmental studies take place on school field trips, where science comes alive and students learn to be stewards of the earth as they engage in exploration, research, and appreciation of nature. Travel opportunities are offered so that students become global citizens and have the opportunity learn about history, culture, and geography as they engage directly out in the world, under the guidance of knowledgable and caring teachers. This is a small school with a big vision, and we are grateful to be part of it. When we pick our son up from school each day, he is happy, relaxed, and well regulated. For us, this says it all.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2017

We can't say enough good things about Discovery. The Founder and Headmaster Clint Davis is brilliant and has such a great vision for what school and learning should be. Our son is finally excited to go to school each day, imagine that! Discovery is not just preparing him for college, it is preparing him for life. The "Quests" are such an important part of the curriculum here... (a project based approach that not only fosters a love for learning and the world but promotes an entrepreneurial understanding of what can be learned from our failures as well as our successes). We are very lucky to have found this school! :)
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2016

We live in an ever-changing world, so why then, have our schools remained the same for decades? The Discovery Prep School provides real opportunities for students to take risks, learn from doing and be prepared for the future. Students understand that the "end result" is not a grade, but instead it is the actual learning. Our daughter is developing amazing skills (such as critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, empathy), and is excited to wake up to go to school every morning because of The Discovery Prep School. What a gem!
Submitted by other on December 19, 2016

Each day we feel so lucky to have our son at Discovery Prep. He has developed so many amazing skills and personal qualities a direct result of his attending Discovery Prep. He looks forward to studying engineering in college and we know he'll be well prepared to follow his dreams. when he graduates. FYI--No meaningless homework=happy and healthy kiddos!