Discovery School... An International School with A Unique Learning Environment

It is the fundamental belief of the Discovery School Board of Directors that the child is the focal point of our educational plan. Every possible effort will be made to provide and maintain the best possible scholastic and extra-curricular environment.

The Board also believes that given the culturally diverse nature of our student body, special effort must be made to provide programs that meet basic and individual needs. In order to best serve the needs of the child, each application is considered carefully to ensure that the student is placed at the proper grade level. Several criteria are used for admission purposes, including age, previous school records, maturity, performance on Discovery School's placement test, and student and parent interviews.

Discovery School is sponsored by the Office of Overseas Schools, U.S. State Department, and receives an annual grant to assist with the operation of its program. The school has also received substantial grant money and technical advice concerning the security and safety of the campus and the children. In accordance with a special working relationship between Discovery School and the U.S. Embassy, the children of U.S. Embassy families on diplomatic or military status whose tuition is paid by the U.S. Government will be able to access immediate admission to Discovery. In addition, children of U.S. recruited staff of Discovery, after meeting all of the conditions required by the admissions procedure, will access immediate admission to Discovery.

A completed application form needs to be submitted together with the student's complete school records (transcripts, teachers' letters), references, health certificates, proof of birth/citizenship, and results of any psychological or educational testing, (Note: failure to submit complete school records will result in delaying the admissions process.)

It is the duty of the parents/guardians to furnish the school with any additional pertinent information about the student, including but not limited to: results of standardized testing at previous schools, results of psychiatric or psychological evaluations, information about prescribed medication(s), any diagnosed behavioral or learning disorder, or physical limitation. Failure to provide this information may result in the student's suspension or dismissal from the school.

Once all of the documents have been submitted, a date will be set for the prospective student to take a placement test and to have a personal interview with the Admissions Committee. The student's parents/guardians will have a separate interview with the Committee as a requirement of the admissions process.

The Admissions Committee for the Early Childhood and Elementary School will be composed of the Head of School, Guidance Counselor, and the applicant's likely Homeroom Teacher. The Admissions Committee for the Secondary School will be composed of the Head of School, the High School Assistant Principal, and the Guidance Counselor.

The Admissions Committee meets regularly to review the results of the placement test. After considering student records from schools previously attended and all other pertinent information provided by the parents or any institution, the Committee will make a decision on admission and placement. Unanimous agreement must be reached within the Committee for a student to be admitted. The parents will then be called for a meeting to discuss the decision.

Certain students may be admitted on a probationary status, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. The probationary period should not be less than 6 months. The Committee will review the student's performance every quarter, and meet with the parents/guardians to share the progress. The Committee will issue a final recommendation towards the end of the school year.

If a decision is made to admit a student who has experienced problems in a previous school, a behavior and/or academic contract may be written as a condition of admission.

Students Dismissed From Other Schools

Discovery School reserves the right to deny admission to students who were dismissed from other schools for academic, disciplinary or other reasons. Students failing to reveal such a record at the time of enrollment will be subject to withdrawal of enrollment when this fact is discovered.

Placement Testing

Students entering Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten must be tested for aptitude and maturity. To be eligible for testing for the Nursery level, a prospective student must be three years old before September 30th of the current school year; prospective Pre-Kindergarten students must be four years old before September 30th of the current school year; students testing for entry into Kindergarten must be five years old before September 30th of the current school year.

Students entering Grades 1-12 are tested for English proficiency (reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, etc.), Math level, English language skills, grade placement and aptitude. The Admissions Committee will determine the final admission status and placement.

Special Education Services

There are no Special Education services or provisions at Discovery School for students with extreme educational, social and behavioral needs. Students demonstrating these characteristics will not be admitted to the Discovery School.

English Second Language (ESL)

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will be required for all students who lack grade-level English language skills. A fee will be charged for this service. Any student entering after grade 8 must demonstrate grade-level English proficiency.