Discovery Montessori School

Posted: June 7, 2025

We absolutely adore The DiscoverySchool!
The dedicated teachers go above and beyond, fostering a truly supportive and engaging learning environment. The strong sense of community among families and staff is palpable, making everyone feel welcome. Beyond that, the curriculum is incredibly well-rounded and thoughtfully designed, consistently challenging and inspiring our children. We couldn't be happier with our experience here!"

Posted: June 7, 2025

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Posted: February 14, 2025

Discovery is a magical place. The way my kids have grown - in confidence, social aptitude, and in sheer knowledge - in their 3-4 years at Discovery is immeasurable. Grateful to have them in such a safe, happy environment.

Posted: February 14, 2025

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Posted: June 17, 2024

My child has been attending Discovery Montessori School for two years and is now heading into his third year. He has grown not only academically but also emotionally. It has been great to see his development in executive functioning skills and personal confidence. The teachers and administration are very accessible and truly care about the well-being of the students. We are grateful that our son attends Discovery Montessori School!

Posted: June 17, 2024

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Posted: May 17, 2019

The teachers don’t seem to notice or care about bullying. I remember asking the main teacher about something my child told me on the playground another kid said and the teacher replied “Oh I don’t listen to what the kids are saying out on the playground”. Like....really?? My child was being made fun of for being special needs and there’s no accountability for hurtful words being said??

Posted: May 17, 2019

The Teachers send home the same materials over and over and forget what they’ve already given your child.

Posted: May 17, 2019

Our child doesn’t even have a Montessori trained teacher leading their class. The teacher is currently “in process” of getting their certification and you can tell that she is not Montessori trained. Very different from the last teacher who was Montessori trained.

Posted: May 17, 2019

Our child is repeatedly forgotten about and brushed aside for the children of parents with more money. Our child is constantly harassed by the same few students and the teachers don’t ever take action until those students have hurt another child.

Posted: May 17, 2019

We often feel drained from the constant begging for donations and supplies even though this school is one of the most expensive schools in the area.

Posted: May 17, 2019

Our child is special needs and we are constantly being told that “they don’t think they are”. That is the last thing a parent wants to hear. Having a diagnosed learning disability or developmental disability doesn’t make a child less, and it isn’t shameful. The school also is very difficult for getting our therapist to come in and give support for our child even though when applying we were told that they were supportive of therapists.

Posted: May 17, 2019

We had a lot of hope going into this school and tried it for multiple years but we have decided to pull our child and go to another (way less expensive) Montessori school. The price of the school wasn’t what turned us away, it was the product we received for the price we were paying. You expect greatness when paying over 15k for a Kindergarten education. The teachers seemed constantly out of the loop, they were being switched around between classes a lot, and we were told the classes were a small ratio when they decided to up the amount of kids in the kindergarten/pre-k classrooms. The teachers seem stretched too thin for the amount of kids in the classroom. It seems like Discovery knows they usually only have kids through Kindergarten and then the child leaves for a better school so they are trying to take in as many of that age as possible to make the most money. The school seems centered around money, between the constant emails begging for donations and the ongoing fundraisers. Our child also was constantly getting injuries and no teacher ever seemed to see what happened. I understand things can happen but it seemed like it became a constant stress. Almost weekly our child came home with bumps on her head or giant scrapes and no one in the school having any idea where they came from. The other thing we found annoying was the constant field trips planned last minute. We’d get 4 days notice or sometimes day before notice for another field trip that parents cannot go on and our therapist couldn’t go on. Sometimes they’d forget permission forms until I asked day before so then day of the teachers are asking parents while we are dropping off kids for the day to sign the permission forms. I understand maybe 1 field trip for Kindergarten year but 4-5?? And every one was an early release day on top of the monthly teacher planning early release days. It’s near impossible to have both parents working while having a child at this school. Most parents hire a nanny to help out but we just don’t have that kind of money. We wanted this to be s good review and wanted to enjoy our child’s first Montessori school but the school seems to be moving away from Montessori and being it’s own for profit business.

Posted: November 30, 2014

Discovery is a well balanced school focusing on whole child development. I can't speak highly enough about the teachers. They are so dedicated to the kids and the Montessori method.

Posted: November 5, 2014

I had two children attend Discovery Montessori School and they are now thriving in middle school. Both have received top honors in mathe and science. Both are independent, engaged learners. I am often complimented on their behavior in class and how they interact with all the students in their class not just one group or another. Discovery successfully completed a rigourous accreditation process with the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the American Montessori Society in 2012. They committ resources to professional development for their teachers. It was a great value given the price for other FCIS schools. Would highly recommend it.

Posted: February 1, 2014

We came to Discovery very optimistic based on reputation that it is "the best". We have been disappointed with the communication and the school's inability to address or even validate our concerns. We are moderately satisfied overall and our child is learning, but not for this kind of money. I do not feel like the teachers or administration actually care about our child. The head of school has good talking points and goes through the motions but at the end of the day, it feels empty.

Posted: December 31, 2013

My child has been at this school for over three years, and, frankly speaking, this school is over-rated and over-priced. If your child is mediocre or a little bit better than average, he will do fine there. If your child is advanced, it might not be a good place for him. Parent involvement at this school is practically about giving money and donating service.

Posted: August 7, 2011

Discovery is a delightful school. Grounded in Montessori principles, it has provided my 2 children with an outstanding foundation for the future. The school nurtures the growth of the whole child by providing open, natural and beautiful environments for the children to explore and learn. The student population is ethnically diverse with many bilingual families this which enriches the educational experience. Discovery also offers many learning experiences outside the classroom. The Edible Schoolyard provides for many wonderful lessons about science and sustainability. The children are able to seed, grow, care and prepare food from the garden. A truly amazing experience!

Posted: August 7, 2011

My daughter has gone here since she was 2. This school is amazing in establishing a great foundation for any kid.

Posted: July 22, 2011

This is a wonderful school. The teachers and staff really care about the children. My children have been going here for three years and we wouldn't dream of sending them anywhere else. The other parents are great too. It's a wonderful community for learning and friendship. We love this school.

Posted: June 22, 2011

The school just lost 3 valuable and very experienced teachers. Last year they lost 2 in their lower elementary class. Their current staff is lacking a great deal of child psychology which is a key item when dealing with Montessori children. Make sure to add a couple of thousand dollars more to your budget if you plan to attend the school, there are a lot of fun raisers and it feels like is all about the money, money, money.

Posted: March 26, 2011

Discovery Montessori School offers the best education in Jacksonville! A Montessori education addresses the whole child, fostering independence and a love of learning, leadership, and a child's understanding of their interconnectedness to the rest of the world. While DMS embraces all of the core Montessori values, the school is also on the forefront of technology and a 21st century vision of education. This is our sixth year at Discovery, and I cannot imagine having my child enrolled anywhere else!

Posted: March 25, 2011

Discovery Montessori School combines a rigorous academic program with caring teachers and involved parents while staying true to traditional Montessori teaching methods. The Montessori method educates children not only in traditonal academics, but also teaches them to be self directed, lifelong learners. Over the last 6 years I have watched my children blosssom under the tutelage of the wonderful teachers and staff at Discovery. The small student/teacher ratio in the elementary programs allow for individualized curriculums. And, since the children have the same teachers for 2 -3 years, the teachers get to know the students and their families VERY well. The school community is very welcoming and has become the proverbial "village" that is helping me raise my children.

Posted: March 24, 2011

DMS is a wonderful school. While having gone through some growing pains recently, the school has developed and grown into a wonderful educational community that cannot be matched. No other school offers the nurturing, engaging and challenging environment that is found at DMS. My child's education is developed well beyond the classroom walls in the edible garden, the computer room/library and into the community through community service projects. My daughter has received a top-notched personalized education.

Posted: January 24, 2011

We had two children attend DMS in the Toddler and Pre-Primary classes. Unfortunately, we had to move out of town and just wanted everyone to know what we have discovered since leaving... DMS is the BEST!!! Our children learned so much there and really enjoyed every minute at DMS. It fostered a love of learning and a pride in their work. Every day they would come home and tell us something wonderful and be so excited about it! From Director to the teachers to the Assistants to the After Care teachers- everyone truly wants the best for every child. They are encouraging, yet provide appropriate boundaries. I HIGHLY recommend this school. I have observed many preschools and public elementary school due to my job and personally, as well as professionally, I think DMS is the best in Jacksonville! Go visit, talk to everyone, observe the other students, and your decision will be easy to make. Financial aid is even available if you qualify. WELL WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!!!!!!! We LOVE DMS. Thank you to everyone there!

Posted: June 23, 2010

Discovery has been a nurturing, wonderful environment for our two boys. The teachers we ve had have been academically challenging while allowing them to develop at their own pace. My 5 year old is reading and writing before kindergarten, knows all the States, continents, planets and his math skills are far above those of other children his age. I credit this completely to the school as we really use home time for play and activities. I feel safe with my children in their care and when I pick them up they are smiling and full of stories of what they did during the day. If you are questioning, just visit. They are very welcoming.