Discovery Stem Academy

Summary:

Discovery STEM Academy is an elementary public magnet school in Newport News, Virginia, serving 543 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Newport News City Public Schools district, which is ranked 110 out of 130 districts in Virginia and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite its focus on STEM education, Discovery STEM Academy has consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of Virginia elementary schools, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years. The school's student proficiency rates in core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English Reading are significantly lower than the district and state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 3rd-grade Mathematics proficiency rate was 56.32%, compared to the district's 55.57% and the state's 70.11%. Additionally, the school has a very high percentage of students (over 90%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When comparing Discovery STEM Academy to other nearby schools, such as Achievable Dream Academy and Carver Elementary, the performance gap is quite significant. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Achievable Dream Academy's 3rd-grade Mathematics proficiency rate was 70.09%, compared to Discovery STEM Academy's 56.32%. The school's performance data for specific student subgroups, such as African American students and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, is particularly concerning, as these subgroups rank in the bottom 50% of Virginia elementary schools.


Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

 1712 Chestnut Ave
       Newport News, VA  23607


(757) 928-6838

District: Newport News City Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
991st of 1,114 Virginia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,697 Help


Students who attend Discovery Stem Academy usually attend:

Middle:    Huntington Middle
High:    Heritage High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  543

Racial breakdown:

African American:
86.0%
Two or more races:
5.5%
Hispanic:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  90.6% Help


 See top rated Virginia elementary schools

 Compare Discovery Stem Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Discovery Stem Academy ranks worse than 89% of elementary schools in Virginia. It also ranks 17th among 24 ranked elementary schools in the Newport News City Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.61. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Discovery Stem Academy has the largest elementary school student body size in the Newport News City Public Schools District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Discovery Stem Academy is $8,697, which is the 11th highest among 24 elementary schools in the Newport News City Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Discovery Stem Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Discovery Stem Academy 991st of 1114 Virginia public elementary schools. (See Discovery Stem Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Newport News City Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Newport News City Public Schools 110th of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Discovery Stem Academy?

Rank History for Discovery Stem Academy

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Discovery Stem Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.04 1024th 1097 6.7%
2019 8.58 1058th 1105 4.3%
2021 5.16 1062nd 1103 3.7%
2022 8.83 1042nd 1109 6.0%
2023 7.90 1048th 1114 5.9%
2024 13.61 991st 1114 11.0%
See the entire list of Virginia Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Discovery Stem Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 25.10 851st 1036 17.9%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Discovery Stem Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 5.69 1064th 1100 3.3%
2024 12.95 991st 1098 9.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Discovery Stem Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 13.45 986th 1093 9.8%
2024 15.45 975th 1101 11.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Discovery Stem Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 21.44 496th 579 14.3%
2024 25.31 485th 588 17.5%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Discovery Stem Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Virginia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

by a parent
Saturday, December 14, 2019

Open Quote My daughter is a 2nd grader and is thriving at discovery. Being biracial I was concerned at how she would fit in but she is growing in every way possible. Ms. Hastings is amazing and I can't say anything negative about the school. The neighborhood should be greatful to have such a positive institution. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Discovery Stem Academy

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 535 535
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 564 564
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 524 524
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 537 537
1993 7 454 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 463
1994 9 497 0 1 2 n/a n/a 0 509
1995 6 718 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 728
1996 6 718 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 728
1997 4 718 4 5 2 n/a n/a 0 733
1998 11 725 2 2 1 n/a n/a 0 741
1999 9 715 2 1 3 n/a n/a 0 730
2000 12 660 1 6 2 n/a n/a -4 677
2001 4 684 2 4 2 n/a n/a 0 696
2002 6 321 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 330
2003 6 321 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 330
2004 4 347 0 3 1 n/a n/a 0 355
2005 3 330 1 9 1 n/a n/a 0 344
2006 4 322 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 331
2007 3 371 1 4 0 n/a n/a 1 380
2008 3 367 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 375
2009 3 393 0 3 0 n/a n/a 5 404
2010 9 312 0 4 0 n/a n/a 4 329
2011 9 283 0 11 0 0 3 0 306
2012 11 476 0 18 0 1 12 0 518
2013 12 502 1 19 1 0 15 0 550
2014 19 531 0 17 1 0 19 0 587
2015 10 439 0 16 2 0 22 0 489
2016 9 326 0 11 0 0 16 0 362
2017 13 353 0 13 0 1 22 0 402
2018 15 448 1 15 1 1 27 0 508
2019 19 538 2 21 1 1 32 0 614
2020 20 540 2 23 1 1 30 0 617
2021 17 512 1 22 1 1 26 0 580
2022 19 477 1 29 1 0 31 0 558
2023 16 467 0 29 1 0 30 0 543

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Discovery Stem Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 535 24.6 21.7 n/a
1990 564 28.5 19.7 n/a
1991 524 28.2 18.5 n/a
1992 537 28.7 18.7 n/a
1993 463 29.4 15.7 n/a
1994 509 25.0 n/a 83.5
1995 728 n/a 0.0 82.4
1996 728 n/a 0.0 82.4
1997 733 n/a 0.0 82.1
1998 741 n/a 0.0 84.2
1999 730 33.0 22.1 89
2000 677 n/a 0.0 91
2001 696 n/a 0.0 n/a
2002 330 38.5 8.6 99.1
2003 330 38.5 8.6 99.1
2004 355 37.0 9.6 99.2
2005 344 35.0 9.8 99.1
2006 331 31.0 10.7 86.7
2007 380 40.4 9.4 87.9
2008 375 32.1 11.7 86.7
2009 404 31.1 13.0 90.2
2010 329 28.6 11.4 82.5
2011 306 25.7 11.8 78.1
2012 518 31.0 16.7 93.6
2013 550 34.0 16.1 94.5
2014 587 39.4 14.8 90.1
2015 489 32.0 15.2 94.5
2016 362 27.0 13.4 98.6
2017 402 29.3 13.7 84.3
2018 508 33.0 15.3 83.5
2019 614 38.0 16.1 83.6
2020 617 38.0 16.2 76
2021 580 38.0 15.2 n/a
2022 558 35.0 15.9 84.1
2023 543 37.5 14.4 90.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Discovery Stem Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 535 24.6 21.7 n/a
1990 564 28.5 19.7 n/a
1991 524 28.2 18.5 n/a
1992 537 28.7 18.7 n/a
1993 463 29.4 15.7 n/a
1994 509 25.0 n/a 83.5
1995 728 n/a 0.0 82.4
1996 728 n/a 0.0 82.4
1997 733 n/a 0.0 82.1
1998 741 n/a 0.0 84.2
1999 730 33.0 22.1 89
2000 677 n/a 0.0 91
2001 696 n/a 0.0 n/a
2002 330 38.5 8.6 99.1
2003 330 38.5 8.6 99.1
2004 355 37.0 9.6 99.2
2005 344 35.0 9.8 99.1
2006 331 31.0 10.7 86.7
2007 380 40.4 9.4 87.9
2008 375 32.1 11.7 86.7
2009 404 31.1 13.0 90.2
2010 329 28.6 11.4 82.5
2011 306 25.7 11.8 78.1
2012 518 31.0 16.7 93.6
2013 550 34.0 16.1 94.5
2014 587 39.4 14.8 90.1
2015 489 32.0 15.2 94.5
2016 362 27.0 13.4 98.6
2017 402 29.3 13.7 84.3
2018 508 33.0 15.3 83.5
2019 614 38.0 16.1 83.6
2020 617 38.0 16.2 76
2021 580 38.0 15.2 n/a
2022 558 35.0 15.9 84.1
2023 543 37.5 14.4 90.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Discovery Stem Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $583 (6.0%) $9,147 (94.0%) $9,730
2020 $437 (5.5%) $7,477 (94.5%) $7,914
2021 $639 (7.3%) $8,058 (92.7%) $8,697

Data source: Virginia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Discovery Stem Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1058th of 1105 Elementary schoolsRanks 1048th of 1114 Elementary schools
 1.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Discovery Stem Academy)5542
 13%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Newport News City Public Schools)7049.3
 20.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8269.1
 12.9%
3rd Grade English Reading (Discovery Stem Academy)4041.3
 1.3%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Newport News City Public Schools)5649.1
 6.9%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Virginia)7166.1
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Stem Academy)7430.8
 43.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Newport News City Public Schools)6948.3
 20.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8369.7
 13.3%
4th Grade English Reading (Discovery Stem Academy)5341
 12%
   4th Grade English Reading (Newport News City Public Schools)6055.4
 4.6%
   4th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7572.7
 2.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Stem Academy)6650.6
 15.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Newport News City Public Schools)7049
 21%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8167
 14%
5th Grade Science (Discovery Stem Academy)6846.3
 21.8%
   5th Grade Science (Newport News City Public Schools)7051.3
 18.8%
   5th Grade Science (Virginia)7966
 13%
5th Grade English Reading (Discovery Stem Academy)5451.3
 2.8%
   5th Grade English Reading (Newport News City Public Schools)6557
 8%
   5th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7871.4
 6.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students614543
 11.6%
African American538467
 13.2%
American Indian11
Asian20
 100%
Hispanic2129
 38.1%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White1916
 15.8%
Two or More Races3230
 6.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients83.6%90.6%
 7.1%


Schools Near Discovery Stem Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Stem Academy

Discovery Stem Academy ranks in the bottom 11.0% of Virginia elementary schools.

Students at Discovery Stem Academy are 86% African American, 6% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic, 3% White.

Students who attend Discovery Stem Academy usually go on to attend:

Middle : Huntington Middle
High : Heritage High

In the 2022-23 school year, 543 students attended Discovery Stem Academy.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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