Discover Engaged Learning at Discovery
A school community that nurtures the idea of how to think, not what to think.
Engage
Engaged learning allows for Discovery students the passion and curiosity for lifelong learning. Discovery students develop the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and excel academically. Our students are confident and curious learners that love going to school. Discovery staff are caring and innovative teachers who make each year unique, challenging and full of learning adventures.
Discover
Through an integrated, place-based curriculum, students are given the knowledge to become stewards of their community and environment. Our place-based curriculum incorporates local and regional partnerships to develop a sense of community and a student’s place in it. Place-based education provides a relevant content for instruction; that context will be the natural, social and political environment of our community, including rich environments of the Indiana Dunes National Park, Lake Michigan and feeder rivers, adjacent farmland, and residential, commercial, and industrial developments. Discovery has partnered with Mighty Acorns, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and others to all allow our students to discover the world around them.
Grow
Discovery teachers inspire and support each student to reach their fullest potential by spending a meaningful time of each week outside the classroom in educational and exploratory work. Complementary to the practice of interdisciplinary studies, Discovery students are engaged in real world project based learning in the local community. This is a hands on approach to learning, using natural science field experiences, research, and service projects. Classroom work supports and integrates with field projects, so students will learn skills in class then apply them in field work. Additional learning labs and classwork will develop skill proficiency in subjects such as math, reading and writing.
ENVIRONMENT
Discovery is uniquely nestled adjacent to the Indiana Dunes National Park and within miles of the Indiana Dunes State Park. Our location is one of the unique differences between us and other traditional public schools. Our students are able to not only explore the National Lakeshore trails as part of their day to day curriculum, but incorporate the remarkable aspects of our natural environment into their daily world. Our full time naturalist is able to provide knowledge and resources to our teachers students about the plants, trees and the natural world around them. Discovery students help to keep part of the trails adjacent to the school free of debris and overgrowth as part of their Discovery experiences which is one of the many ways they are exposed to being stewards of their environment.
CLASSROOM
The classrooms of Discovery are set up to optimize learning in a student centered environment. Research shows that students learn better when they are able to “fidget” which increases attention spans. Teachers are able to set their classrooms up to maximize the learning day and teach in progressive ways to captivate students interest.
LUNCH
Lunch is enjoyed on nice days outside at our outdoor picnic area. The picnic area is adjacent to the gym/cafeteria and covered for sunny with sun shades. Our students go outside for recess daily, unless weather conditions make it dangerous, to enjoy using their imaginations in our natural playground or on our playground equipment, playing gaga ball, competing in a friendly basketball game or having fun with all things nature.
The cafeteria serves a well rounded meal including a vegetarian option, a meat option or a rainbow salad bar. Students can also bring their lunches. Our students who have peanut allergies can sit at a peanut free table where their friends who buy lunch are encouraged to sit with them.