Admissions Process

The Discovery School is no longer accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. We are currently accepting application for the 2024-2025 school year. 
 
Parent Tours:

Tours are available on a limited basis for active applicant families. Please contact the School at 247-4577 or admissions@thediscoveryschool.org to schedule your tour.

Application and Fees:
An application for admission, along with a one-time non-refundable fee of $125 per child, must be submitted, but is not a guarantee of admission.

Student Visit and Assessment:
An interview and/or an assessment with a teacher may be requested for children being considered for the Primary, Elementary, and Middle School programs.

Applicants for grades 5 and 6 must show evidence of current standardized test scores, indicating that the student is making appropriate grade-level progress commensurate with Discovery's expectations. Acceptable standardized test scores include current FSA, ERBs, MAP, Stanford (SAT10) IOWA Assessments, and CPTs. Other standardized tests will be considered. 

Applicants for grades 7 and 8 are required to share results of the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE – school code 571379).

The ISEE is offered on multiple dates throughout Jacksonville.  For test dates, locations, information and to register go to www.iseetest.org.  If the test dates are not convenient or a test center is not available in your area, Prometric Test Centers offer the ISEE.  To register for the ISEE at a Prometric Test Center, go to ISEE Testing at Prometric.

Recommendations and School Records:
Current school records, including report cards, standardized test scores, and performance evaluations are required for students entering Kindergarten through eighth grade.

Expectations for Applicants:
The expectation for children seeking admission into the Toddler and Primary programs is that they will complete the 3-year Primary cycle, which includes the Kindergarten year, and continue at Discovery through Middle School.

Admissions Deadline:
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. Enrollment is understood to be for the full nine-month school year. A student applying for Kindergarten must be 5 years of age by September 1st in the year they wish to attend. Beyond this, admission to Discovery is evaluated once the entire process is completed.


Admission Decision:
Siblings of children already enrolled in The Discovery School, children of employees, and Montessori/IB transfer students are given preference in enrollments. Final acceptance and level placement will be determined by the Director of Enrollment Management and the Head of School. This decision is based on applicable interviews, academic and social progress, and the balance of ages and genders within the classrooms. 

Financial Aid:
An education from The Discovery School is an investment in your child’s future. We realize that education costs are a significant financial commitment and may be a challenge for some families. Discovery provides partial scholarships based on need. Financial aid is available to current students and new applicants. Discovery utilizes a financial aid program called SmartAid. SmartAid provides an objective financial needs assessment directly to our administration/governance. Please refer to the financial aid policy to your upper left for more information.

Notification:
Once the enrollment agreement is signed and returned with the tuition deposit, and associated school fees, the student is officially enrolled. Upon acceptance, the following items are required:
  • Emergency Contact Form
  • Verification of receipt of the DCFS pamphlet "Know Your Child Care Center"
  • State of Florida Health Form (Yellow, 3040)
  • Current Immunization Record (State of Florida Form 680, Blue)
  • Birth Certificate
  • Release Agreement

If you have any further questions about the Admissions process, please contact the Directors of Admissions and Enrollment Management at (904)247-4577 or admissions@thediscoveryschool.org. Thank you.

Financial Assistance Application


Financial Loan Program

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