The Discovery School was founded in 1994 by parents and teachers who wanted a unique learning environment for their students. What began as a small elementary school that held classes in a house, has grown into a complete PK-Grade 12 education institution that nurtures and prepares students for admission to the world's top universities. Our unique learning environment is founded on the ideas of small class sizes and experiential, hands-on learning. As educators we know that students of all ages learn best when they are experiencing the lessons-touching, and seeing, and hearing, and sometimes even smelling and tasting! We give the students a variety of learning experiences-including individual projects, as well as occasions to work in small group, large groups, multi-age level clusters and interdisciplinary units.
Discovery School is a private, international day school with students from over 20 different countries. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our students learn every day how to interact, cooperate, disagree, collaborate, accept, compromise, and encourage each other. I firmly believe that if we are ever to achieve peace on this earth, it will begin with students who have attended international schools-students who know what it means to sit next to children from around the world and look beyond differences to discover how much we are all alike.
Another foundation of our school is the well-developed curriculum, which is based on professional educational organizations in the United States. Each class has a quarter-by-quarter Curriculum Map which serves as a guide as the teachers navigate through the school year. We also have Standards and Benchmarks written for each grade level and every class. This provides for continuity and alignment of instruction, even when a new teacher arrives. All of the teachers are well qualified and experienced, many with advanced degrees, and they are the defining element that guides the educational experiences for our students.
Discovery parents are also a vital part of our identity, and we have an active and energetic DPTO (Discovery Parent-Teacher Organization) that strives to support and help develop the school with an eye on our Mission and Strategic Plan. The DPTO's goals for the year center around Community Service, Communication, Fundraising, Teacher Appreciation, Creating a Sense of Community, and Investing in the School. In addition, a core group of parents have volunteered to serve on the Parent Advisory Committee and meet monthly with me to brainstorm, strategize, and participate in the continual process of school improvement.
In 2006, Discovery School moved to its purpose-built facility on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa. With the input of parents, teachers, and students, the facilities were designed to maximize the learning potential of each grade and age level. Although the class sizes are small, we have two sections of each grade level through Grade 7, and the facilities were designed to enable the classes to interact and learn from each other. The air is fresh and clean, the view is wonderful, and the atmosphere on campus is that of a family.
Honduras provides a wealth of cultural, environmental, educational, and recreational options. We believe that our students should be given opportunities to experience the culture and countryside of this beautiful host country. For that reason, we provide field trips, community service opportunities, and excursions within the country.
If you are interested in joining our school as a student, parent or faculty member, I believe that you will open the door for a unique educational and cultural experience. You will be a part of our growth, challenges and excitement as we continue to develop into a superlative educational institution.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, faculty, staff, parents, and students, I invite you to visit our campus at any time. It will be our pleasure to show you around and let you experience first-hand the joy of learning that takes place at Discovery every day.
Sincerely,
Debra D. Giles
Head of School
