Discovery Elementary School

5241 36th Street North

School District

Arlington County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Arlington County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 17, 2022

Very high staff turn over in recent years, even in the middle of the school year. Behavioral issues are not addressed effectively
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2018

Awesome school but kids need to get homework and communication s between teachers and parents need to improve.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2018

Best elementary school in the country. State of the art building and brilliant teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2018

My 3 kids LOVE Discovery! Having had our kids attend several elementary (& pre) schools, overseas and across the US through the years, we are very happy with the quality of education and whole child centered mission at Discovery! Our kids are learning to be effective, ambitious learners and self reliant, responsible globally minded citizens with passions and curiosities beyond their years! All this is happening every day, through the dedication of the teachers and staff at DES who you can tell REALLY LOVE their jobs and care about the well being of each of their kids... MY kids! The green initiative & sustainability efforts that Discovery is so well known for, are a refreshing change in pace and a wonderful way to build a much needed foundation for the next generation. My kids have all excitedly embraced being Green Leaders through the Eco-Action Team. The effects of the seeds planted by our DES community have spread to so much of what we do at home, it makes me a really proud Mom! My kids don't just LOVE being at Discovery because they have an indoor slide and have amazing hands-on arts & maker opportunities, but because the teachers & administrators make learning truly fun & rewarding and fill their days with engaging chances to learn! From the open door of the Principal's office, to the lunch & custodial staff, our kids don't just know the names of almost everyone, they sincerely appreciate & adore them! I'm glad that my kids spend their days here exploring so much of what the world has to offer. There is such a great sense of community and a staff who sincerely care and love what they are doing! I love that my kids are not just learning that they can be just about anything that they want to be, but that they truly believe it! A true testament to this school and the amazing things that go on inside those walls everyday can be seen in how much my kids have grown since moving here! Daily, my kids are taken through empowering learning experiences that go well above and beyond the typical academic model, to a world of unending possibilities.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2018

Over, we have had a great experience at Discovery. We were moved from Jamestown Elementary to Discovery and have had a wonderful experience. We are lucky in this area to have excellent schools, and Discovery is definitely among them.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2018

All three of my kids have had wonderful experiences at Discovery. The facilities are amazing. Plenty of opportunities for my children to in excel in activities outside of basic academics. The teachers are very accessible and enthusiastic.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2018

Overall excellent. I never hesitate to recommend Discovery to other families looking in the area. We had an excellent experience at Nottingham prior to Discovery as well. On top of all the great teachers, supportive administration, and the great student/parent community- you can't beat the amazing physical environment of the school and the opportunities for learning it presents.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

I've been very pleased with Discovery. I feel like the whole school is constantly innovating and shaking up "typical" ways to do things. Impressive projects, student-led, great school-wide celebrations, really nice sense of community.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

Exceptional! I am very happy that my daughter joined the school as soon as it opened and has had a nurturing, positive and empowering experience at the school!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

We have been more than pleased with our kids experience. They love going to school. they are learning more then I could have ever expected. It is the feeling of going to a private school in a public school setting.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

My child attending 4th and 5th grade for the first two years the school was in existence. He had a wonderful experience and I was so impressed with the dedication of teachers and staff. The building is lovely, but it is the community that makes it terrific. My kids have attended both ASFS and Discovery, and I feel like both provided them with excellent elementary experiences.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

Highly pleased with the school and the teachers. The latest technology is amazing. The sustainability culture in everything they do adds an additional layer of enrichment.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Excellent school! A great community elementary school where there is genuine sense of teachers and parents working together for good of students.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

It is an amazing school and a gift to all the kids in our community!
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

My girls have had a fantastic experience and have been there since the school opened. THey has had caring, warm teachers who have high expections and push when appropriate. We are so happy there!!! This is a top notch school!
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

My daughter loves to go to school every day. In three years she has grown from a shy and uncertain kindergartener to a confident, smart second grader, and I credit Discovery's excellent teachers and supportive environment. She is learning academically, but she is also learning to be kind and to treat others with respect. My son went to Taylor and the two schools have a very different feel, but the quality of education at Discovery is at least as good as that at Taylor. (And the space is much, much nicer and not overcrowded!)
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

We’ve loved our Discovery experience! We were redistricted from Taylor Elementary and I feel Discovery is just as good, or even better despite being a brand new school. My oldest son is going to middle school next year and he is going to miss his Discovery family. The building is state of the art- LEED certified, high-tech, gorgeous light filled design- and the teachers and support staff are dedicated and caring. My youngest son had one rough year with a not so great teacher, but she has since left the school and he has had a much better experience in subsequent grades. The PTA is very active and there is a strong sense of community. Highly recommend Discovery!
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Excellent. This is a top notch school. We had two kids at Nottingham prior and Discovery is every bit as good even just a few years from opening.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

Excellent- amazing facility, inspiring educators, committed parent community, inclusive vibe.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

It is a cohesive environment with a terrific sense of community. I highly recommend this school!