Admissions FAQ

Tours are typically offered weekday mornings during the academic year. We find that morning tours provide the optimal experience for prospective families to witness children in action and a wide variety of our programs. Tours are by appointment only. Please click on Request Information & Schedule a Tour to schedule a campus tour. 

Our campus tours are an opportunity to personalize your experience, ask questions, and get to know Discovery. Tours typically last about 45 minutes and offer a meaningful look at our campus, classrooms, and learning environments.

Children are always welcome to join you; however, if you plan to bring a young child, we encourage you to bring an additional adult when possible. Our classrooms and learning spaces can be wonderfully inviting to little ones, and having an extra set of hands allows you to fully engage in the tour and conversation.

Students entering Kindergarten and above will be invited to return for a Student Visit Day as the next step in the admissions process.

Ideally, families should complete an application in the fall prior to the school year they would like to enroll in (for example, submit an application in Fall 2026 to start in Fall 2027). Our school year runs from mid-August to the last week of May.

We currently accept applications on a rolling basis, but encourage you to complete your application by January 31, as applications will be reviewed based on availability.  Applying by the application deadline is recommended, as we may reach capacity in certain grades/programs and then open a Wait Pool. 

Once your application is submitted, an Admissions Checklist will populate in your Admissions Portal to help guide you through the next steps and track your progress. We’ll also send reminders along the way to help you stay on top of important deadlines.

Once all required items have been received, your checklist will indicate that your “File is Complete” and ready for review. For new families applying within our regular admissions timeline, notifications of admissions decisions begin in late February.

And remember, you’re never navigating the process alone—our Admissions team is always happy to help. If you have questions at any point, please reach out to admissions@thediscoveryschool.org.

The best way to submit supplemental admissions documentation is to do so directly through your Admissions Portal. Your application checklist will show any required or outstanding items and allow you to upload documents securely to your child’s file. Submitting documents through the portal helps ensure they are received and matched to your application promptly.

We believe finding the right school starts with experiencing it for yourself. We invite you to schedule a campus tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore our learning environments, learn more about our approach to education, ask questions, and get a feel for the Discovery community. Our Admissions team is here to help you determine whether Discovery feels like the right fit for your child and family.

We understand that gathering admissions materials can take a little extra time. If you are unable to complete your child’s application by the stated deadline, please reach out to our Admissions team.

Your application is considered complete once all required items have been received. You can follow your progress through your Admissions Portal checklist, which will indicate “File Complete” once your child’s application is ready for review.

While we will do our best to work with your family, priority consideration is given to applicants with complete files, and space may become limited as the admissions season progresses.

At Discovery, we take a thoughtful and holistic approach to admissions. Our Admissions Committee carefully reviews each applicant’s complete file, considering all submitted materials to get to know the whole child. Our goal is to understand each student as an individual and determine whether Discovery is an environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

If there is no currently available space in your child’s program or grade, you may be notified that your child has been placed in our wait pool. Should space become available, our Admissions team will reach out to families as we continue to thoughtfully build each class.

If a space does not become available, families may also have the option to roll their application forward to the following school year. Our Admissions team will keep you informed and help guide you through your options along the way.

Families who receive an offer of admission will also receive an Enrollment Agreement to officially join the Discovery community. Families are typically given two weeks to complete and return their enrollment materials, including any applicable enrollment fees, to secure their child’s space for the upcoming school year. Specific deadlines and next steps will be included with your offer of admission.

Financial aid is available to current students and new applicants. All admission decisions are made without regard to financial aid. In order for your financial aid application to be considered, an application for admission must be on file at TDS. Discovery utilizes the SmartAid financial aid program. SmartAid provides an objective financial needs assessment directly to our administration. The application fee is $35, and the application for the 2027-28 school year opens on January 1st, 2027.

Financial aid is an annual process for both new and returning students. Families seeking assistance are encouraged to apply by the January 31 priority deadline, with initial financial aid awards typically communicated beginning in March.

Financial aid awards are determined after the signed Enrollment Agreement has been returned. If the award offered does not provide sufficient assistance for your family to attend Discovery, you may request to be released from your Enrollment Agreement.

Applications received after the priority deadline may still be considered; however, after initial awards are distributed, funding may be limited or unavailable.

Because every child’s needs are unique, we encourage families to share any relevant psychoeducational evaluations, 504 Plans, IEPs, or other documentation during the admissions process. This allows our Admissions and Academic teams to thoughtfully assess whether Discovery has the resources and support your child needs to succeed.

As an independent school, Discovery may offer accommodations and related services that differ from those provided in a public school setting. We welcome the opportunity to speak with your family about your child’s individual needs and the support we can provide.

Learn more about our Learning Support Services here: Student Services

We understand that this may not be the news your family was hoping to receive. Admissions decisions are made thoughtfully and with care, and many factors may influence them, including available space, classroom composition, and our ability to meet each student's individual needs.

An admissions decision is not a reflection of a child’s potential or all they have to offer. Our goal is always to make decisions that we believe are in the best interest of each child and the Discovery community. Families are welcome to reach out to our Admissions team with questions about their decision or future opportunities.