Discovery Academy

227 North Ridgewood Avenue

Edgewater, FL 32132

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 05, 2022

My two children attended Discovery Academy for 3 years. I was very impressed with the project based elementary curriculum and the compassionate primary teachers. My oldest was able to foster his love of debate and bill writing, as well as coding, computer aided design and computer game writing. My youngest only entered into this the last year of our attendance. Two of the elementary teachers had been at the school for decades and had a refined their curriculum to a T. Through my younger son’s experience at Discovery Academy I was able to meet many passionate and skilled teachers, although turnover appeared to be a problem. No one stayed more than 2 years and a few left mid year. We were grateful for their time with him as well. The office manager Linda is a gem of a woman and has a wonderfully compassionate yet structured approach with discipline and handling conflicts. I have nothing but respect for her. That is where my affection for Discovery Academy ends. Administration and ownership is problematic. Prior to 2021, the owner was clearly absentee, and the principal, a family member, actually even lived out of state for a good portion of the school year. When the decision was made to appoint a new math teacher as replacement principal I was hopeful but knew classroom management and creating a connection with students was not her forté. Ms. Heather, the new principal, was not available to communicate other than email and often would not even respond or ask the office manager to speak to me. Several of the classmates in my oldest’s classroom were going through rough family issues and were suicidal. Ms. Heather had little or no compassion for personal situations. She even went so far to bully my youngest’s teacher in front of the children. My son told me about it and was very upset when his favorite teacher left mid school day because of the interaction with the power hungry principal. After a year of trying to keep my children with as few life changes as possible, I made the difficult decision to remove them from Discovery Academy mid school year. Luckily they are doing well elsewhere. I am hoping the new owners see what affected my family and others so poorly and take steps in the children’s interest.
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2021

Discovery Academy is an excellent private school for your children from Pre-K through 8th grade. We have been going here for 3 years and my children are thriving. All of the teachers are so kind to each child, truly encouraging each to their strengths and honing in and focusing on helping any weakness. They make learning actually fun! This school has set a solid foundation for my kids learning path and that they have developed a true love for learning.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2020

I don’t think this academy qualifies as a school. Don’t send your student there. All smoke and mirrors. Classrooms are small and no administrators to lead the teachers. It’s a money maker only!
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2017

We love this school. They are so helpful and caring. My daughter loves going to school and learning so much she hates the weekends. The staff is like one big family which makes my daughter feel comfortable. All in all so far they've been AWESOME!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2017

Discovery Academy has a comfortable and encouraging atmosphere for learning. My daughter is very happy and hopes to continue through high school there.
Submitted by other on February 24, 2017

ok. so there is no perfect school for every child. There is so much we loved about Discovery as a family , but the learning just wasn't happening for our child. We moved her to a new school and she has learned more in one month then she did all year at Discovery. Understand, I am not saying it is a bad school, but my child was not responding to their teaching style.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2016

Our daughter is blossoming at Discovery! We love the staff and teachers as well as the feeling that we are part of the school's family. It's very comforting to have become friends with other parents that have like minded ideas about education and bringing our children up in this very different world from when we grew up. My only wish is that she could continue on through high school in this wonderful environment. I'd recommend this school to anyone looking to place their child in an advanced and caring school where you'll be so much more than just a number!
Submitted by other on March 16, 2016

A school where children become explorers artists, writers, and BELIVERS. Imagine that! Discovery Academy is that, and so much more!
Submitted by student on March 16, 2016

This school doesn't put anybody down, and teachers stay here forever. Why? Because Discovery knows what kids like, and the kids enjoy learning and it is absolutely great getting all of this learning, all the bad reviews are lies.
Submitted by other on March 16, 2016

I've been here for 8 years there are advanced curriculum programs drama debate and excellent teachers
Submitted by other on March 16, 2016

This school is great I've been here for 8 years and I've been here since preschool
Submitted by other on September 28, 2014

Discovery has a hands on eclectic curriculum that teaches students to think, problem solve, includes, debate, drama, philosophy, Latin derivation of words, PSAT high frequency vocabulary, Hands on Science, AP Biology Prep, Apple computer lab, iPad initiative (virtual textbooks) Character education, manners, values. All subjects are interconnected, with three rotating blocks where teachers teach the subjects they love and the enthusiasm is contagious. Standardized Test Scores consistently at the top in the U.S. and Math scores rank at the top of the world on the AMC 8 and so much more.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2014

My girls have attended this school since they were 3 years old. They have excelled in every class testing out well above their grade level. It is an awesome school with a beautiful setting and my girls love it!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

My daughter has been going to this school for 5 years and I am thrilled with the level of education she is receiving!! This school goes above and beyond, meeting each child's individual needs. Their activities and projects are always unique and exciting, keeping the learning fun and challenging. I highly recommend this school!!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2014

This is a wonderful small private school in Edgewater Florida. The classes are small and the teachers are incredibly dedicated. The school thrives in focusing hands-on learning. All the students take part in annual Shakespeare plays that build their self-confidence. Fourth-eighth grades take part in student congress and debates. This is a wonderfil program that teaches to think critically and debate on past and current cases. Discovery Academy, also incorporates a competive drama club that has achieved many accolades and honors. This school is truly one of a kind! My children love to go to school everyday and that is priceless!!!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

My son attended VPK here during the 2012-2013 year. When he began school at Coronado, he was so ahead of any other kid from other neighborhood vpks it was astounding. You had to wonder what they did all day in the other places. We had to switch him into gifted due to his total boredom and how he stood out from kids just learning letter sounds and how to write basic letters. We did change to Chisholm, where he is in fact challenged. But he misses to this day, what he calls 'learning in an exciting way every day.' At Dscovery he came home bursting to tell me about his day, and in public he is learning, but less energized. I think the results will be equal but he enjoyed the journey more at DA. I recommend wholeheartedly the VPK. The school owners and administrators are extremely intelligent and dedicated, and I think they would take any parent concern seriously. You really feel cared about there. And every teacher loves his or her job...the public school teachers may also, but they are so stressed out. It's unfortunate our society can't resolve some of these problems, but DA is a strong alternative to them.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2014

My younger daughter started 2 years ago and I moved my older daughter at the end of last year. Best decision ever. My kids love to go to school, I'm very impressed by the quality of the education provided by the school and the teachers. They listen to the parents and have made some accommodations for my kids to thrive. The kids are not numbers, they are treated as individuals. They are trying to teach the kids the love of learning, not just skills for the tests. Big change of pace from the public schools. Absolutely love it!
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2014

I have both my children enrolled at Discovery and can give a point of view for both the Kindergarten-3rd grade and 4th-8th grade programs. Both of my children started at Discovery when they were in Kindergarten. My oldest is now in the 4th-8th grade program and he is always busy learning new things, including hands-on science experiments, latin words, keeping a historical journal, an award winning drama program, debate, world geography (last year my oldest competed in the national geography contest and received a perfect score!), music, and architecture. There are several project-based activities that students engage in throughout the year. My youngest is in the K-3rd grade program learning through hands-on science experiments, Shakespearean play performance, art classes that teach famous artists and masterpieces, as well as hands-on math, language arts activities, cursive writing, and many exciting social studies projects throughout the year. --Busy mom of 2
Submitted by other on November 12, 2013

First of all, no school should be one size fits all. When considering ANY school, think of the best fit for your child and go by in person. Discovery has an open door policy for parents and encourages students to shadow before enrolling. Teachers treat all students as unique and gifted, valuing different learning styles and allowing each child to develop their special gifts in a safe and stimulating learning environment. Teacher's are selected, to teach in their field of study and enthusiasm, and Discovery's top test scores are a reflection. Ask around: local high school teachers love to get Discovery students, and most graduates go into Honors and IB, often with waivers into advanced AP classes, in which they excel. Also note Discovery is the only school in the area that many parents actually take the time to post a review. This is significant, since most people tend to only post when something is wrong. The few negative reviews here seem malicious and fake and most likely posted by the competition.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Discovery has allowed my child to reach her full potential. She complains all weekend that she can't go to school. How many middle school students love school that much?