The 2021-2022 Faculty of Discovery Elementary School

Our Mission

Explorers learn, collaborate, and innovate with the world in mind.

Our Vision

We learn together as a team and encourage everyone to explore, dream, and discover while making a positive impact in our community.

Our Community

To determine if your home is zoned for Discovery Elementary School, use the APS Boundary Locator.

Our Name

Discovery Elementary School is named after pilot, astronaut, and senator John Glenn. Mr. Glenn lived just across the street from Williamsburg Park, which used to be where Discovery stands now. He played with his children in the park.

“Discovery” is one of the things we do during learning. A group of students, educators, families, and community members chose the name, as well as our mascot – the Explorer – and our school colors, red and white.

John Glenn speaking in front of the space shuttle Discovery (OV-103) at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where the shuttle sits today not far from Discovery Elementary School. Photo by Rob Shenk. (CC)

About Us

Discovery Elementary School is a community for students, of students, and by students. It is the people, not the building: Our children, our professional educators and support providers, our families, and our network of colleagues and partners work together to ensure that every individual child’s needs are met and that all children fulfill their potential and achieve what they choose.

We are a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School (see: State Press Release, Federal Press Release) and a National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools USA Green Flag School (see: National Dashboard).

We are deeply committed to age-appropriate, research-based child development practices, and to the principles and best practices of standards-based instruction and assessment in a healthy, environmentally-conscious public school setting.

We were founded in 2015 and serve the children of northern Arlington County, Virginia.

At Discovery Elementary School, children are challenged and encouraged to reach their highest potential through researched-based instructional practices. A rigorous academic curriculum is complimented by a focus on social and emotional wellness. Discovery Elementary School’s uniqueness evolves as committed staff, families, and members of the community model collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.

Links

• US Department of Education Video: “Building Brighter Futures through Zero Energy”
• “A Wave of Net Zero Energy Schools Crests in the South”
• “U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Honorees Announced”
• “Virginia’s first ‘net zero’ building: an eco-friendly school”
• “US Elementary School Offers Living Science Lessons”
• “National Geographic: Top 10 Green Buildings of 2017”