About Us

DCS was founded in 1994 by parents in the LWSD to create a cooperative learning environment for their children while maintaining the benefits of a district run curriculum. The approximately 71 students work at their own levels of academic readiness.

DCS Values

The DCS program embraces the following values:

  • Students acting out a scenarioBelief in the importance of community
  • Respect for self and others
  • Personal responsibility
  • Cooperative spirit
  • A high level of parent involvement
  • Safe and supportive learning environment
  • Small school
  • Multi-age classrooms

The school's success relies on a commitment of 65 volunteer hours annually from each family in the DCS community.

Parent volunteers support the school by providing classroom enrichment, organizing field trips, coordinating community events, or serving in leadership positions. In addition, parents and staff attend monthly community meetings to stay informed and connected.

Extensive parent involvement creates an enriched experience for the students, comprised of frequent hands-on and multi-age team activities, field trips and classroom explorations, community outreach, and other special events, including an annual overnight camp.

DCS Offers Three Classrooms

  • Youngers (K and 1st grade)
  • Middles (2nd and 3rd grade)
  • Olders (4th and 5th grade)

DCS/Carl Sandburg Shared Campus
DCS students enjoy all the benefits of sharing a campus with Carl Sandburg Elementary School. These include library, music and physical education, in addition to special education, after-school programs, and special events.

Awards

2013 School of Distinction2013 School of Distinction Two Lake Washington Schools named 2013 Schools of Distinction.

 

 

 

2014 Washington Achievement Award winner

 

Washington Achievement Award

 

2013 Washington Achievement Award winner

Discovery Community School was recognized in 2009 with a Washington Achievement Award for Language Arts. In 2013 and 2014 DCS was recognized with a Washington Achievement Award

for Overall Excellence, Reading Growth 2009 Washington Achievement Award winnerand Math Growth. These are awarded

collaboratively with the State Board of Education (SBE) and based on the school Accountability Index. To find out more about the award, go to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website. [external site]

Discovery Community School was honored at an annual ceremony hosted by the SBE and OSPI.

 

 

 

Discovery Community School representatives accepting award for the school

From left to right

Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction;

Monica Engquist, Discovery Community School Olders Teacher;

Mark Blomquist, Discovery Community School & Carl Sandburg Elementary Principal;

Carol Fletcher, Discovery Community School Middles Teacher; and

Dr. Chip Kimball, Superintendent of Lake Washington School District.

Annual Reports

The annual progress report to the community recaps the school year's highlights, and reports a bevy of district statistics, including test scores, graduation rates, enrollment figures, budget details and more.

Continuous Improvement Process Plan provides a description of the school, its performance history, demographic make-up, academic focus, school culture focus, and parent/family/community engagement strategies.

 

 

What Parents Say About DCS

I appreciate the DCS community because the kids and parents genuinely support each other, creating a very safe, comforting environment.

Pauline T.

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