About Us

The Phoenix Cause

To ignite The Phoenix spirit ‐‐ Rise, Transform, Soar

The Phoenix Staff Commitments

At The Phoenix The Staff will:

1. Be compassionate and enthusiastic

2. Support each other

3. Provide a high quality education

4. Continuously improve

5. Give the best version of ourselves every day

The Phoenix Way

1. Social‐Emotional Solutions

2. Effective teaching and coaching of habits, skills & strategies

3. School of Doing – Learning by Doing

4. Effective use of Blended Learning

5. Life Planned for an Innovation Era

History

The Phoenix School of Discovery is a JCPS choice school grades 6-12 offering a creative, challenging and diverse learning experience integrated with technology that considers students' specific social, emotional and academic needs. The school serves the entire district with a campus located in Louisville's Lyndon neighborhood about a mile from the Oxmoor Mall.

Phoenix was founded in 2006 as an A5 alternative education program. The school was the first program in JCPS instituted under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) federal mandate. When it was founded, Phoenix was called the Jefferson County Virtual School. The campus was spread out with locations in the former Fairdale Vocational Building, Valley High School, and in 2007, Western Middle School. JCPS started the "Virtual School" as a way to offer priority school parents another school option, which was an NCLB mandate. The school was envisioned as featuring traditional instruction, online learning, and social-emotional support.

In 2009, staff and students took steps to change the school's name. After much debate and a school vote, the institution was renamed: The Phoenix School of Discovery. The word "Phoenix" was chosen because of the symbolism with the Phoenix bird myth, which represents a transforming experience. The words "School of Discovery" were picked as a tribute to Lewis and Clark's expedition team, the Corps of Discovery, who bravely explored the United States' Louisiana Purchase and western territory.

Around the same time, JCPS placed the high school solely in the Valley High School building, and the middle inside Stuart Middle School. Phoenix expanded its mission by developing service learning programs, career exploration, academic teams, and various extracurricular clubs. The school became a district leader in using JCPS Online, innovative teaching strategies, and social-emotional support.

In 2014, Phoenix moved into its own building at the former Myers Middle School. For the first time, the middle and high schools, and all Phoenix programs, were combined in one building. The move to Myers fostered staff and student collaboration, improved school culture, and expanded resources with access to a library, gym, band room, Family Resource Youth Service Center, behavioral health specialists, and much more. New programs were added such as Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD), Riverview, and elementary school.

In the present day, Phoenix has evolved into an choice school specializing in a creative, challenging and diverse learning experience that considers students' specific social, emotional and academic needs. Classes are taught by highly qualified teachers and conducted in a smaller setting. Instruction is enhanced with technology and blended learning strategies. Students take part in various differentiated, project-based learning activities throughout the year. Often, teachers design lessons using "gamification" strategies. Phoenix and UPS are partners in a work co-operative program for seniors. Staff coordinates many field trips and fun experiences, including special events such as PBL exhibitions, family nights, prom, talent show, Veterans Day tribute, holiday program and more.

Philosophy

The administration, faculty, staff, and community of The Phoenix School of Discovery, believe in a comprehensive learning environment that provides opportunities for all students to develop to their fullest capacities and be productive members of a rapidly changing global and technological society. Education is an ongoing process that stimulates the acquisition of knowledge and provides students with appropriate strategies for integration into life in the twenty-first century.

Therefore we expect students to be actively involved in their intellectual development with their teacher acting as an essential catalyst in the learning process. Our curriculum reflects the variety of student needs and developmental levels and incorporates an appreciation and respect for the diversity of cultural backgrounds in our population as it promotes democratic citizenship. In an atmosphere of harmony for a productive school life, we expect excellence in all areas of learning as we promote an understanding of community and world cultures and strive to enable all students to render beneficial services to their world.