ABOUT DISCOVERY SCHOOLS

HISTORY

Discovery Schools began as an idea held by a small group of Jefferson Parish residents wanting to reform public education. Starting in Kenner, Louisiana, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy opened its doors with 420 students in grades Pre-K-3rd, 5th, and 6th. In 2016, Kenner Discovery expanded to high school and now educates over 2,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12th. 

In 2018, the founding team at Kenner Discovery developed the HUB   -- Discovery Schools -- and expanded the success to serve the needs of more Jefferson Parish residents. In 2020, the second school, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery, opened in Jefferson, Louisiana, implementing the structure and best practices that contributed to the success of Kenner Discovery. In 2023, Discovery Schools expanded beyond Jefferson Parish and opened its third school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Discovery Schools currently educates over 3,000 students in Louisiana. 

Discovery prides itself on its tuition-free, open-enrollment, academically successful public charter schools that embed health sciences topics into the curriculum. Our concept allows us to home-grow future healthcare professionals and healthy citizens for our community.

Loyola

KDHSA Vintage/Loyola Campus (Kenner, Louisiana)

Maine

KDHSA Maine Campus (Metairie, Louisiana)

DJOD

DJOD Campus (Jefferson, Louisiana)

MISSION

The mission of Discovery Health Sciences Academy is to provide a rigorous learning environment where students achieve academically, develop intellectual curiosity, and practice environmental responsibility while exploring health and science topics and careers.

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CORE VALUES

The Core values are the HEART of our school culture. Our core values; Honor, Endurance, Academic Achievement, Responsibility, Tolerance (HEART) are the pulse that reinforces positive student behavior. Discovery incorporates social skills and character development into the daily academic curriculum. School culture is shaped by a character skills program, positive behavior techniques, restorative justice, and conflict resolution skills.

VISION

The vision of the Discovery Health Sciences Foundation Board of Directors is to establish a Pre-K through 12th-grade charter school network. The experienced leadership team of Discovery delivers an innovative and accountable education model. Discovery students are college and career ready.

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PHILOSOPHY

Student achievement is the most important and unifying theme. Discovery's shared leadership model develops school-wide ownership of student achievement. The Discovery administrative team and stakeholders established a creative and rigorous academic learning environment with a strong school culture. At the core of Discovery's academic philosophy are data-driven planning, high-quality instruction, health and sciences infusion across subjects, educational technology, hands-on learning, inquiry instruction, and problem-solving through synthesis and evaluation.

We believe education is a joint effort and commitment from teachers, students, and parents. Discovery creates multiple opportunities for student-parent relationships to grow and flourish. The entire framework of our pedagogy, curriculum, high-quality instruction, rigorous assessment, character development, health sciences integration, and the home-school partnership provides students with inventive, flexible minds. Skills that students will use to continue their education or training to be active citizens in this diverse nation and global world.