Discovery Middle School

1304 Hughes Road

School District

Madison City
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Madison City School District

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 October 04, 2023

I had 2 kids go through Discovery - one didn’t do any extra curricular activities, the other played basketball & baseball. Overall, both had a positive experience. My younger child attended during Covid & while things were a little chaotic at first, I truly believe the staff did the best they could to accommodate a very immediate & drastic change in procedures. As a parent, yes you had to be involved, and I’m sure it was difficult for families who couldn’t be home during the day…just like it was for every family in the country at the time. I never had an issue contacting teachers for clarification if needed. The Madison City School district recognized that in person classes were crucial…not just as a means of providing quality education, but for the mental health of the students as well. When many other schools remained closed, Madison did their best to reopen while following the “recommendations” of various health agencies. I’m writing this review because two of the seven reviews for this school are directly related to Covid policies & clearly those two individuals did not have a good experience. I don’t think the entire history of the school & its staff should be so heavily judged on this one event…especially when we all have the benefit of hindsight. Madison City Schools did their best to restore in person classes asap, which turned out to be crucial to the academic success of students. Of course it was rocky, just like everything else was at the time. One reviewer complained that the schools didn’t mask the kids enough & gave no alternative…I respectfully disagree, especially since we know now that masks provided virtually no protection. We know now that kids were at the lowest risk for serious illness. The biggest barrier to education during that time was the federal government. I can’t imagine the toll it took on teachers who were parents themselves, and we probably could’ve done things differently, but in the middle of it all I still believe the city acted in the best interest of the children, within some pretty strict & harsh boundaries.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2022

This school does not care about the welfare of its students. It lifted its mask mandate with no notice so parents were blindsided by the change. It did not make any accommodations to keep students who wanted to wear masks and be safe. Students have no choice but to interact with people who might carry covid and not wear masks.
Submitted by student on January 22, 2022

I moved to Discovery Middle School in 6th grade and currently in 8th i love this school, the students are really kind and freindly, also Discovery has great teacher's in my experiance and they are willing to help you anytime they can.
Submitted by student on March 29, 2021

Really great school. Has very good teachers that teach. People are saying that the teacher don't look at the kids assignment, well each teacher has 4 classes with about 23-25 children inside each class. They could easily miss an assignment. Overall, this school is really good!
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2021

The procedure of COVID-19 is one of the worst I have ever seen. No communication between nurse and staff. Kids that were sent to quarantine receive unexcused absent even though the protocol is to quarantine for safety. Teachers are not looking at the homework that was turn in online and this can be seen when you look at inow and then you look at the online homework that it was turn-in.Schedules are all over the place, it gets confusing, imagine how it is for kids. Example due to COVID, kids in group 1 will go to school in 1st week Tuesday and Thursday then next week in Monday and Wednesday. In other words you have to keep track of changes every week.Bully: other kids don't want to play or talk to my kid because he is not "cool" enough or play sports and he feels so alone because his friends are taking classes online and my kid is friendly. They do not promote teamwork at all.They treat the kids as an obstacle or a type of segregation, ie you have to be in a club to be my friend.
Submitted by student on May 12, 2020

Schoolwork wise it's fine, socially it's awful.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2015

I have had a student at DMS for the last two years and it has been GREAT! The curriculum is challenging and the teachers do an exceptional job. I am most impressed with the new schedule that has been implemented this year thanks to the vision of our principal and teachers. My son was so excited about his many elective choices and now looks forward to HS. I am also very impressed that the principal takes the time to put out a weekly online newsletter to parents about all that is going on at DMS and even includes things that are happening at BJHS. I would say DMS is one of the best schools my family and I have been apart of.
Submitted by other on July 11, 2013

I go to discovery currently. I will be going into 8th grade this year. Last year for 7th I had the best teachers. They are very involved with helping you. To the people saying that the jocks rule the roost... A lot of my friends are your so called jocks and they do not.. Just because they are recognized as being a star on a team doesn't mean they run the school. Before you assume get to know DMS. Trust me its an amaing school. Discipline is very good there. Nice and stern. We excel in reading and math. Discovery is a great school. Don't look down on us. The library staff is a great help. Once you know the school it's easy to get around.. Lockers are very nice. Currently the school is now 7th and 8th which I like better. Gives us more space. I love Discovery. Wouldn't change schools ever. Love it there