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Mission
To inspire curiosity and a life-long love of learning through memorable and engaging hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Vision
To deliver a world-class educational experience through cutting edge science for the next generation of world changers
Practices
We value quality, creativity, inspiration, experiences, people, learning, progress, caring and an open-culture. Our leaders have a proven history of responding quickly and making thoughtful decisions confidently based on facts. Discovery School will provide an engaging, academically-rigorous educational experience based on the individual needs and strengths of each student. We will foster creativity, innovation, wonder, joy, passion, and positivity in an affirming, safe, and just environment that strengthens character, leadership, responsibility, compassion and service alongside academic growth. With deep roots and connections in downtown Springfield, we will not only be bringing the world to the classroom, but will also be taking students out into the world to learn. We practice problem solving, critical thinking, individuality, and failure in a way that gives students the safety to take academic risks and gain the confidence needed to obtain higher levels of achievement and develop their unique gifts. We commit to loving our students and progressing their talents.
Freedom of Inquiry
It is essential to the mission of the school for students and teachers to have freedom to teach or communicate ideas or facts that might conflict with certain political, religious, or ideological beliefs without being targeted for repression. Conflicting viewpoints will not only be allowable, but encouraged when maintained in a respectful, emotionally-safe atmosphere at age-appropriate levels of conversation. We will ask our staff and students to do their best to keep conversations strictly to scholarly viewpoints using a research-based approach. Teachers will be trained to carefully avoid controversial matters that are unrelated to the subject discussed or are best addressed at home. Thoughtful and respectful conversations on differing opinions will be allowable when contained within our school values of quality, creativity, inspiration, experience, people, learning, progress, caring and an open culture.
Commitment to continuous improvement
Discovery School is built on the foundation of proven efficient and effective abilities of the Discovery Center to adapt and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. We ask all constituents including staff, students, caregivers, and members of the board to commit with a genuine desire to learn, succeed, and innovate. In our open culture, when new methods or plans are discovered that will help us meet a clearly defined goal or objective, we commit to staying flexible and adapting together for the success of our students.
Admissions Policies and Procedures
- Submit application for admission
- Complete admissions testing
- Complete enrollment packet
- Participate in family interview
- New student is accepted for enrollment
- Space is reserved once enrollment contract has been completed
Criteria for Admission
Students older than age 3 and potty trained who thrive in flexible environments with mixed ages and abilities, enjoy a challenging intellectual environment, and can work independently with few behavior challenges are ideal candidates. Immunization records are required. It is recommended for all students to have reliable internet access and an internet-connected device to work on from home. We reserve the right to refuse admission or re-enrollment to any student.
Evaluation Process
Students will be pre-assessed in the areas of reading (or reading readiness), writing, math, fine motor skills, and ability to follow directions. The main purpose of the student evaluation is to get a baseline for measuring academic growth. Once a student has been evaluated for admission, a family interview will be scheduled. This will be a time for questions, to confirm caregiver and school administrators are on the same page about commitments made to one another, and to ensure matriculation will be mutually beneficial for both the needs of the student and the school. Information collected from the student evaluation and family interview will result in an admissions decision by the school. Families will have 48 hours to complete the enrollment packet before their spot will be opened to another student.
Waiting List
All incoming students will be placed on a waiting list until the enrollment process is completed, at which time a classroom will be open to no more than 10 students. All students on the waiting list who do not receive a spot in a classroom will be refunded their enrollment fees.
Financial Responsibilities
To protect our small class size of 10 students we ask all admitted students to make a one-year financial commitment.
K-8 Tuition & Fees:
- Application fee: one-time $25 non-refundable
- Admissions pre-assessment fee: one-time $100 non-refundable
- New student enrollment fee: $500 due at time of contract submission, can be combined with monthly tuition payments if first month’s tuition is received by enrollment deadline
K-8 Tuition (choose any option):
- One-time payment of $8,250
- 2 payments of $4,125 due the first business days of August and January
- 10 monthly payments of $825 due the first business days of August – May
3’s & PreK Tuition & Fees:
- One-time $100 non refundable
- Full Time: $867/month due the 1st business day of each month
- Full Time: $200/week due Monday of each week
K-8 Scholarships are available for families meeting poverty income guidelines with funds from the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program or MoScholars. It provides state tax credits in exchange for contributions to approved, non-profit Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs). EAOs then use the contributions to award scholarships to Missouri students living in low-income households or those on Individualized Education programs. Please contact Erin Jaeger at ejaeger@discoverycenter.org for more information.
Instructional Tools and Programs of Study
Pre-assessment will occur before each unit of study. Assessments to measure growth, development, and achievement of students will be ongoing throughout each instructional period and will be communicated to caregivers.
Instructional tools will be based on the individual academic needs and interests of each student and particular stages of brain development for the age of the student. These tools will include but are not limited to project based hands-on learning, use of technology, songs, stories, creative imaginative play, guided discovery, kinesthetic (linking the learning to the senses) exploration, field trips, guest speakers, expression of concepts through artwork, plenty of time for kids to ask questions, and lots of body movement. We will place no limits on how fast a student can learn or how much time they need to learn hard things. We will utilize the rich network of connections the Discovery Center has fostered for over 20 years to engage appropriate partnerships to facilitate instruction for the age, needs, and abilities of each student.
Curriculum will be linked across the following disciplines:
- Humanities
- Fine Arts
- World Language
- Literacy
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Physical Education
Enrichment extensions could include Computer coding, robotics, design thinking, engineering challenges, 3D printing, virtual and augmented reality, gamified learning.
Teaching in partnership with organizations such as NASA and the Smithsonian.
FIRST LEGO League, math club, chess club, Science Olympiad, Cyberpatriot club.
Academic Calendar
2024 – 2025 K- 8 Discovery School Academic Calendar
- August 15- Meet the Teacher
- August 19 – First Day of School
- September 2 – Labor Day (no school)
- October 11 – Pancakes with Pals
- October 18 – Teacher InService Day (no school)
- October 31 – Fall Parties
- November 27 – 29 – Thanksgiving Break
- December 20 – Holiday Parties
- December 23 – 31 – Winter Break
- January 1 – New Year’s Day Observed (no school)
- January 2 – Teacher InService (no school)
- January 3 – First Day of Semester 2
- January 20 – MLK Day (no school)
- February 14 – Valentine Parties
- February 17 – Presidents Day (no school)
- March 10-14 – Spring Break
- April 4 – Spring Parties
- April 18 – Teacher InService (no school)
- May 16 – All School End of Year Program
- May 21 – Field Day
- May 23 – Last Day of School
Be sure to check our website. We offer a School Day Out program for many holidays and days off.
Summer of Science
Discovery School students may participate in all Summer of Science camps with a deeply discounted rate. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Hours of Operation
Discovery School will be in session from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Extended care options are available as needed for an additional fee.
Discovery School Day-to-Day Operations: 417-689-7975
Discovery Center Administration: 417-862-9910
