Our Program
Dynamic Learning Environment
At Austin Discovery School, we offer a dynamic learning environment where students are empowered to explore, create, and grow. Our flexible approach to education allows teachers to adapt lessons to student interests and needs, fostering a love of learning that goes beyond standardized testing. By integrating hands-on, project-based learning experiences, we equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills while nurturing their innate curiosity.
Our teachers prioritize students’ growth and development by tailoring instruction to meet their unique needs, identifying individual goals and creating pathways for success. At ADS, students actively participate in their educational journey, gaining a clear understanding of where they stand on the learning continuum, recognizing the skills they have mastered, and identifying what they will tackle next. This empowers students to take ownership of their education, fostering confidence and motivation.
Curriculum
Our educational program is designed to inspire intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong passion for learning. We combine rigorous academic instruction with hands-on, experiential learning that connects concepts to real-world applications. Students engage with top-tier curricula to ensure a strong foundation in core subjects, as well as social emotional development.
Our Curriculum Includes:
Amplify Language Arts
Eureka Math
Great Minds Science
Leader in Me
Essentials
At Austin Discovery School, every student participates in our Essentials classes, providing students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and enhance their overall learning experience. Each grade attends the following classes once per week:
Art
P.E.
Library
In 2024 our art teacher, Annie McArdle, created a video that highlights the hands-on learning approach in our Essentials classes. Ms. Annie led a project where students collected bottle caps to create a stunning piece of artwork which both represents our school mascot and beautifully embodies our school’s commitment to eco-consciousness and sustainability..
Daily Schedule
Monday - Thursday
Drop-off: 7:30 - 7:50 a.m.
Pick-up: 3:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Aftercare Pick-up: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fridays
Enrichment Classes: Times vary by class
Aftercare Drop-off: After 7:30 a.m.
Aftercare Pick-up: Before 6:00 p.m.
Class begins promptly at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with Aftercare provided from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. On Fridays, we offer fun and affordable enrichment classes, as well as full-day Aftercare, giving parents and students a chance to guide their own learning, and teachers ample time for planning and professional development.
The school day typically begins with morning meeting time to ground and focus the class for the day ahead. Each class goes to Essentials (Art, Ecowellness, P.E., or Library) at the same time each day, on a daily rotation. Grade-level hikes happen once a week on the scheduled day and time, and community-building school-wide assemblies are held in the courtyard on the second Wednesday of each month. Parents are welcome to join students on the hike, for assemblies, or stop by during class time, but must sign in at the office first.
Austin Discovery School follows all state compulsory attendance laws, and adheres to the state-required instructional time for each school year. We meet or exceed the minimum required 30-minutes of physical activity each day.
