Schools > Charter > Austin Discovery School

Austin Discovery School in Austin, Texas

Austin Discovery School Detail

(512) 674-0700
8509 Fm 969 Ste 200
Austin, TX 78724
Levels: K-5
District: Austin Discovery School


Austin Discovery School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
White, non-Hispanic:67.1% (2008)
Black, non-Hispanic:6.5% (2008)
Hispanic:22.5% (2008)
American Indian/Alaskan Native:0.9% (2008)
Asian/Pacific Islander:3% (2008)
Student Teacher Ratio:11.8% (2008)

Austin Discovery School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating4
Average Principals Rating3
Average Teachers Rating4
Average Activities Rating4
Average Parents Rating4
Average Safety Rating3

Austin Discovery School Reviews

Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-12-22
“My son (3rd) and daughter (Kinder) are both at ADS this year. My son was in a private school pre-K to 1st and a different charter for 2nd, and ADS is *by far* the best fit for him. He has always been a really different kid. At ADS, he's been accepted and has made friends like never before. He was miserable last year, but this year, he comes home happy and talking about school. I'm pretty sure my daughter would thrive wherever she went to school, but ADS has been great for her also. Her teachers nurture her interests and talents but also push her to try new things. Yes, there are hiccups because it's just not a traditional school, but THANK GOD. I am so pleased ADS, and I can't imagine sending my kids ANYWHERE else after this experience.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-12-16
“My kindergarten son has only been in school at ADS for about three months, but what I've seen so far is exceptional. Our son began with an above-average skill level in reading, writing, and math, and those skills have increased appropriately for his time so far in kindergarten. So, basic learning here is on par with other schools. What is so exceptional is the softer learning skills he is acquiring. He gets along with his classmates and speaks with respect about even the ones who are not his favorites. He has a wonder (and knowledge) about nature that he did not previously have. Our usually very cautious boy now wants to try all kinds of new things. I am not saying it's perfect. There are still some organizational hiccups, and I'd like to see a firmer focus on traditional science learning. But, those small drawbacks are eclipsed by the positives.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-08-12
“ADS has been a perfect fit for our family. The teachers are wonderful. We've been very pleased with how this young charter school has grown in just a few short years.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2009-07-13
“Our son just finished kindergarten at ADS and we were delighted. His teachers were fantastic; he learned so much and had a great attitude about school. ADS is distinguished from other public schools by its environmental science program (including a weekly hike), the nutritional guidelines, its multi-age classrooms, the emphasis on learning by doing, and a general respect for the whole child. Prospective parents should check out the website and go on a tour to get a feel for the school. The written assessment ADS uses is perhaps more meaningful than number grades -- you really know where your child's strengths and weakness are. I found ADS orderly (not chaotic) and I thought discipline was well-handled. Parents can expect their child to do around 10 minutes of homework a night per grade. The word about ADS is out; there are now several applicants per opening.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2009-04-16
“So far we are pleased with the treatment from administration. They have been very helpful.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-11-14
“Things have not been perfect at ADS. From what I have seen many charter schools fall around year 3. That is not what has happened at ADS. ADS has continued to grow in accademic excellence while maintaining the sence of community that is beyond compare.Organization is getting better and better, and the sense of love, warmth, and safety are increaed by the fact the staff know and care for every child. More and more there are groups of parents who are touring the school. Parents are encouraged to observe and to be a part of what is going on there. I agree this school may not be for every child. It is not for every family. But the quality of teachers is amazing! I would encourage anyone who was at ADS year 1 or 2, check out what is going on now. ADS is accomplishing what it set out to do!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-10-23
“In truth ADS did have a rocky couple of years, but it's begun to hit its stride. Discipline and safety are no longer issues, in my opinion. The school has much improved leadership. Each year has seen great improvement. This school year (08 - 09) has so far been remarkable for the quality of new teachers, organizational flow, solid disciplinary procedures and much more. The folks here are passionate (and that's no small thing) and they work very hard along with many dedicated parents. What they have achieved is very rar--a sense of community, of family, that no standard public school can match. As a parent of a student here, I am proud of ADS's accomplishments and I look forward to its growth. This school is not for every child--as seen by some of the negative reviews--but for many like myself it's the education I wish I had had.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2008-09-30
“This school has some really great ideas and some things that don't work very well. For children whose parents are actively engaged with the learning process outside the classroom, the play-centered curriculum can be really effective. For parents who have a lot going on in their own lives and may not have time to augment the lessons at home, it is likely to result in children falling behind their peers at other schools. The kids have a half day every Friday, which lends to even looser ideas of what school is about. This too can be good or bad depending on the kid and the larger family. Looser philosophies on discipline combined with inexperienced teachers can lead to chaos in the classrooms, but children who are bright energetic and eager to learn - with continual reinforcement at home - could blossom with the ideals promoted by the staff.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2008-07-02
“We too were deeply in love with this school for a couple of years. There are a lot of positives here when compared to public schools, less structure, focus on the whole child, nature hikes...etc, etc. The facts are, are that this school is still trying to find it's way, sometimes at the expense of your child. If you are having educational concerns for you child and you want to know who would be the best fit for them the following year, GOOD LUCK. The teaching staff, year to year, seems very schizophrenic. We still don't know who the teachers for the next grade will be next year. It will probably be someone who's never taught before and who will be thrown in a room with one other in/unexperienced teacher and 32 kids. Sound scary? It is. I would agree with other reviews here, looks good on paper, just not there.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2008-06-09
“I'm a former elementary school teacher, so I know what goes on in schools. Some of the previous reviewers mentioned discipline problems and 'chaos'. Folks, that happens (and in greater quantities) at every school. At ADS teachers work to effect a harmonious classroom that includes all students, regardless of behavior. Administrators give parents a behind-the-scenes look at the way the school works. All schools are a little chaotic - they just don't let parents see that. The ADS curriculum follows the best current brain-based and methodological research. It's implementation is very good. Teachers are dedicated. Bottom line: if your highest educational goal is that your child learn to 'paint-by-numbers', send them to a traditional school. If the goal is that your child develop into a 'thinker', send in your ADS application now.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2008-05-27
“I can see why some are concerned. Last year (yr 2) the TAKS scores were less than acceptable, by 3 students. Please see this year s scores at: http://www.austindiscoveryschool.org/taks.php Yes, there will be some who do better than others in public, private or charter schools. Please judge this school on the merit it deserves and not the comments of the few.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2008-05-22
“I support an environment where children are taught through visual, auditory and kinesthetic means; I support an environment where children are given the opportunity to learn to live by their choices; I support an environment where children learn to live in a win-win world; I support an environment where children learn to take responsibility for the land upon which they live; I support an environment just like this: Austin Discovery School.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 1
Post Date:2008-05-07
“Enrolling our son into this school was the worst mistake my husband and I have made as parents. Before going to ADS our son knew the alphabet, and was starting to read. Once he started going to this school he refused to do anything in the way of learning. He cried often after school. We were in the process of having him see a child psychologist when we took out of this school and put him back into public.. He is doing wonderfully now, and his sellf esteem is great! Please thouroughly investigate this school before enorlling your child here.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 1
Post Date:2008-03-27
“The school has no text books, report cards, no nurse, counselor, and the old building it is located in is a danger for kids that roam around free of any structure.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-09-25
“My son can't wait to get to school every day (this is amazing I think, for a fifth grader, at least in our family)! He cried often in the mornings while in public school about bullies. He didn't feel like he belonged. The teachers here are committed to behavior policies both for the kids and for themselves. It shows in how they speak respectfully to the children and to each other. There is a palpable atmosphere of caring, respect and democracy here. We have tried public school and home schooling and this is where he is the happiest. I think a child needs to be happy before they can truly learn.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-07-10
“This is a great school. The campus is huge and the children are very connected with nature. Everyone involved is incredibly committed to making the vision of the school a reality. Since it is so new, things are in flux. But that just makes it feel more real and honest. The administration listens to parent input. Their 'no homework' policy makes so much sense in this stressed-out world. My son loves to go to school everyday. Because most of the families are progressive-minded folk, there is no peer-pressure or classism. I'd love to see the goal of the school garden sustaining the cafeteria become a reality. We love ADS!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2007-05-14
“If the new administration can follow through on its desire for a more consistent, rigorous, and rigorously applied curriculum from classroom to classroom, and if the chaos factor can be brought under control, this will be one of the best schools in Austin. Otherwise, it'll continue to be a really neat but under-performing exercise in social development.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 3
Post Date:2007-03-12
“Great philosophy on paper, the school is just not there yet. We felt the environment was extremely chaotic and our very bright child was not challenged at all. The teachers are kind and very hard working. Parent involvement is huge, although we felt somewhat unsafe with so many people in and out of the classrooms all day. This school is worth checking out, but if you value some structure and your child needs to be academically challenged this is probably not the best place for you.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2007-03-08
“My child is learning so much -- it blows me away. He came to the school in kindergarten -- not even knowing his abcs -- and now he is writing by sounding it out. He loves school! He is thriving academically and as a whole child. That is what I love about this school -- the teachers focus on the creative process and it is amazing. The gardening and specials programs rock! They had a labrynth celebration during the holidays -- the kids wrote their own songs, made lanterns and walked the labrynth. I feel my child is at a private school but it is free. They use the Becky Bailey discipline model and boy does it work! The way they learn to solve problems is so cool! So recommend this school!”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 2
Post Date:2007-03-04
“The teachers are doing their best with VERY limited resources. Children are encouraged to express their individuality and are involved 'hands on' in the fundraising which is great. On the downside, there is no principal leadership. The progressive curriculum and mixed grade groups should mean (in theory) that the brighter kids are encouraged and pushed to learn more. In practice, they are not. Discipline style means that the better behaved kids are largely ignored whilst the teachers fight fires with bad behavior. The school has a great philosophy on paper. In reality, it holds traditional education in scorn and shuns teaching the basics in math, literacy and science. Kids are taught largely through games and so K/1 classes are very similar to preschool.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 1
Post Date:2006-12-11
“The academic program is wonderful on paper but the wimpy discipline policy undermines everything that makes this school so great in my opinion. My suggestion is to go in with your eyes wide open. This is all just my opinion but please check it out thoroughly. This school has some pretty big problems.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2006-11-08
“An incredible school all around. Classes are hands on learning. Children are able to grasp and apply lessons learned while working as a team; which also increases communication and social skills. The music program allows children to experiment with different sounds from different instruments (including their own voices). The hikes and gardening are amazing. The art program will blow your mind! The school truly encompasses the nurturing of the whole child. The teacher to student ratio is so that each child gets undivided attention when needed. I have three children there (one with special needs) and cannot imagine us being this happy anywhere else. I would encourage anyone who is unhappy with their child s school to make the trip, check it out, and give it the well-deserved chance to be a place to bring out the wonderful person that lies inside each of our children.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2006-04-11
“A school well on its way to becoming one of Austin's most innovative schools. Children come first here! Learning is active and interesting explorations,and the staff has a firm committment to improving the school in every way as it matures.”
This review was posted by a teacher.
Quality Score: N/A
Post Date:2006-03-30
“My child is in kindergarten at ADS and has had a wonderful year. We love the emphasis on nature and the gardening and nature hikes, as well as the well-rounded curriculum (many other public schools have foresaken spanish and other areas to focus only on the TAKS test). The teachers are wonderful and caring, and my child is thriving academically and emotionally. This being the school's first year, some things are still in flux, but we are very pleased with what they have accomplished this year and envision a very strong future for the schol as it develops.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 4
Post Date:2006-02-04
“We are very impressed with ADS and its commitment to individualizing curriculum, etc., for each child. The teachers are wonderful, the staff is knowledgeable, the parents are highly involved. There are weekly art, drama, physical education, music, and, soon, Spanish classes for all students. The kids are learning and having a good time doing it. I couldn't ask for a better school for my child.”
This review was posted by a parent.
Quality Score: 5
Post Date:2005-09-18
“I am a parent at ADS and I really feel blessed that this school exists. I thank my lucky stars every day that there is a tuition-free school that honors childhood, a place where my son has the freedom to reach his full potential as a creative & curious human being. I am proud to say my child spends almost 2 hours every day outdoors! The parent community here is amazing and involvement is over-the-top for a public school. The administation is smart, progressive, and responsive. Initially I was concerned about the commute, but it is worth it. It is early in this school's history and there will be growing pains this first year, but so far we are all very pleased.”
This review was posted by a parent.




     




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