Discovery Program
Elementary Discovery Program
To Begin The Application Process Please Carefully Review The 2024-2025 Discovery Program Application And Process Information Linked HERE
After Careful Review Of The Information Above, Use The Following Information To Formally Initiate The Application Process.
In-District Discovery Program Application Information
Student Currently Enrolled In A DCSD School In Grades 1-5
Out Of District Discovery Program Application Information
Students Currently Enrolled In A Non-DCSD School In Grades 1-5
Home School Discovery Program Application Information
The DCSD Discovery Program Magnet for Gifted Learners:
The Discovery Program (grades 2-6) is designed to meet the needs of gifted learners whose abilities are so intensive they require special provisions to meet their educational needs. There are four magnet schools located regionally throughout Douglas County School District. Parent information sessions and application deadlines will soon be available on the website. Gifted services are also in place at the neighborhood and charter schools for those students who required differentiated programming to address areas of identified strength. For more information about the continuum of gifted programming in the Douglas County School District, visit the district’s website.
These students can be identified by the following characteristics:
They make connections between and among disciplines and concepts beyond what could be expected among their age peers.
They are able to learn quickly and need appropriately paced instruction.
They are usually inquisitive and often passionate about one or more areas of interest.
They have interests beyond those which could be expected of their age peers.
They are advanced academically in language and/or math concepts.
They have curricular needs which must be modified beyond what is expected in the regular classroom.
They display a high level of cognitive potential.
Their social and emotional needs require grouping with intellectual peers not often available within the regular classroom.
Please visit the DSCSD Gifted Education webpage linked HERE for more information and application materials.
Discovery Program Sites
Please note: The location of the Discovery Program is subject to change, based on the needs of the district. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from the Discovery Program sites. Administrative placement is available for siblings of Discovery students on a space-available basis.
Renaissance Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound School
Identification Process
Due to the intensive nature of the Discovery Program, a body of evidence is needed to determine
the best match between students and programming. Information considered must include
documented cognitive ability, additional standardized testing, progress reports, student, parent,
and teacher input.
Three major criteria for placement are:
Advanced intellectual/cognitive ability
Classroom performance above grade level in at least one content area
No below-grade level performance in any content area. Multiple criteria will be considered in the identification process that gives evidence of the best match between student academic needs and the rigorous environment of the program.
While every effort is made to assign students to the site in their feeder area and closest to their neighborhood school, assignments may be offered based on space availability.