The Discovery School @ Reeves-Rogers

I'm honestly undecided about how "great" Discovery School is. I want to love it, but for the most part I've been underwhelmed. Many of the "enrichments" are only superficial -- 30 minutes of foreign language instruction each week doesn't accomplish anything. The children would probably benefit more from an extra 30 minutes on the playground. Many of the lessons and activities seem designed more to impress the parents than to benefit the children. The school doesn't have a progressive or creative curiculum; it's the standard state curiculum drilled harder and faster. I haven't yet decided if this is good or bad. There is little to no free playtime even in kindergarten. Technology is not employed in an instructive way; there is virtually no ethnic or class diversity; there are few extracurriculars; field trips are infrequent and uninspired. The teachers are only average but totally adequate (it doesn't take an Anne Sullivan to teach the 3 R's to gifted kids). There's an awful lot of preening and self-congratulation. Overall, the school is good but has plenty of room for improvement. The school's greatest asset is the children themselves, who are undeniably amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Discovery School since Kindergarten, she is now in the middle half of 6th grade. The environment at this school is one that nurtures, challenges and builds self esteem. The teachers are the best! They engage the kids to make learning and achieving fun. I could not be happier with Discovery or the performance of my child. She loves this school, her teachers and her friends there. Discovery is the only elementary school that completes with middle and high school robotics teams. We always come away with some first place trophies and this year we came in 4th overall. I am very blessed that she has been able to attend here and so is she.
—Submitted by a parent

I have never been to a school like Discovery School. I went there for 4 years and loved every minute of it. The teachers there really care for every student and your classmates are extremely fun and nice. The education there is beyond "honors" and the teachers are very creative with their assignments. Students from 4th grade and up receive an apple laptop, which makes the learning so much fun! You can also use these for projects (making powerpoints, movies, songs, etc) Everyone at Discovery was my family, and i miss them like crazy now! If your looking from a homey atmosphere and nicest staff ever... Discovery Schools the place to be :)

My Child attended her for two years. We have since moved to MA to attend the "best schools in the country." What a joke. Our child was way ahead upon getting here. We miss the accessability of the teachers and the environment that not only encouraged learning but made it cool. Excellent school!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been in the Discovery School at Reeves Rogers since Kindergarten and I am completely satisfied with the performance of the teachers, students, parents and faculty. This is overall a very impressive and well rounded educational facility, thriving among all other public schools in the district.
—Submitted by a parent

My grandchildren attend this school and I can't believe what a top notch school this is....the teachers go above and beyond for the students. These intelligent students enjoy going to school.

Wonderful, awesome, fun, creative, great learning enviroment etc..... Private school education paid for with your tax dollars.
—Submitted by a parent

Discovery School students do a significant amount of work learning to think, not just being drilled on concepts and skills. I appreciate the amount of creativity that goes into my children's lessons (I have a 2nd grader and a Kindergartner at DSRR) and the emphasis on critical thinking. DSRR kids like hard work and are successful at learning to solve problems in group settings. They love to be challenged and do not shy away from learning new things.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is doing good at discovery. She is learning square roots in kindergarten
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very nice. My child comes home very happy, they have things to do during school, and extra activities. They are also very reliable.
—Submitted by a parent

Last year, our students led the state in math and science TCAP test scores. Our 5th graders had the highest writing assessment scores in the state this spring. When our students competed in their first BEST Robotics competition last fall, they were the youngest group there and went head-to-head with high school students. They won one segment of the competition outright and brought home an impressive seventh overall finish. Last year, our 6th grade band had more students named to the all-county band than any other school. In its first time competing, the Discovery team ranked second in the state with one student tying for third in individual achievement in the 2009 Math League Contest. In technology, our school is a state leader, too. Discovery was the first elementary school to have a one-to-one laptop program for students in grades 4-6. Our children are expanding their global horizons through special projects with schools in Turkey and China. Next summer, a group of our students will be going to Turkey for International Space Camp. Our Discovery School students also give community service a high priority. They give their time and resources to benefit Ronald McDonald House, Pennies for Peace and a long list of local causes and charities aimed at bettering our community. Discovery students are also excelling individually. Last year, members of our student body won national writing competitions, the county spelling bee and math competitions. Beyond the classroom, our students sing in elite choral groups, perform in regional theater, and claim top awards at regional and national gymnastics and martial arts contests to name just a very few accomplishments.
—Submitted by a parent

Exceptional kindergarten teachers. I am ecstatic that my child is attending Discovery. I
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Discovery School since Kindergarten. Her first two years were far above all of our expectations. Her teachers kept her challenged while allowing her to feel confident in her successes. In 2nd grade the curriculum has really disappointed us for the first time. Also the leadership is allowing disruptive classroom behavior which takes away from everyone else who wants to learn and succeed. I have heard that the 3rd grade teachers are fantastic so I will allow my daughter to continue at DS for another year. I would love to see fair treatment of all students regardless of color, race, etc. like it was during its 1st year. If a student's actions are not condusive to an excellent learning environment then I do not believe that student should be allowed to stay at DS...there are too many other deserving children who would be a better fit!
—Submitted by a parent

To me, the great things about this school are my child's peers, the way the faculty and staff treat him with respect, parent involvement, and the variety of learning experiences. I know my child is intelligent and he was before he went to this school and he will be after. I am not concerned if they introduce multiplication at grade 3 or 1 or what his projects are or his spelling words or when they introduce power point presentations - he will get all of that whenever. I care about his self esteem, his sense of self, his respect for others, his ability to think and solve and hypothesize and make mistakes and try again. This school, the teachers, his peers....they give the environment that supports this.
—Submitted by a parent

DSRR is now under dynamic, intelligent and forward thinking leadership. Teachers are working to make DSRR incredible. Of course there are always ways to improve. Come in, discuss the problems you have - we cannot improve unless we know your desires, likes, dislikes and what great ideas you have.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am really disappointed in Discovery School. I have had children in this school since the inception. Technology is great, however, the academics are not what we expected or were promised. It could be so much more.
—Submitted by a parent

This school does not exist anymore. It is now the Discovery School at Reeves Rogers and has moved.
—Submitted by a teacher

Bellwood Discovery School was started by the City School System for the 2005-2006 school year as a school for High Achievers. Prior to that it was a regular elementary school. This school features enrichment clusters that meet for2 hours each Friday. The students have at least 10-15 enrichment clusters to choose from each 9 week period. Also, all 4th-6th graders have their wn latop computer. This school is very technologically advanced. These children are producing powerpoint presentations, making i-movies, etc. on a daily basis. It's amazing the things they learn. The children move through the regular curriculum at a faster pace than a regular school and are considered advanced. This is a fantastic school!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has exceeded our expectations since becoming a school for 'high achievers.' We have been floored with the knowledge that our child has learned. The children are receiving top education and 100% teacher support. Thank you to all the staff for a wonderful job.
—Submitted by a parent

The program at Bellwood is very intune with the needs of a diverse student body. The school has really reached out to find answers to very difficult questions and are being successful as teat scores are going up each year.
—Submitted by a parent