About Us
Discovery Woods Montessori is a public charter school
Discovery Woods is a tuition-free public school using the individualized education model called Montessori. The school is located in Brainerd, MN near the Northland Arboretum. Discovery Woods is now into its first year of operation. Discovery Woods has an enrollment of nearly 100 students in kindergarten through 5th grade. The associated preschool, Discovery Waters, serves 20 children at the same site.
Learn how Montessori differs from conventional education
Click here to watch short video.
Hours of Operation
Office hours are 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Class hours are 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Before and after school care is offered from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm
Phone Number
(218) 828- 8200
Location
Discovery Woods Montessori School
810 NW 7th Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
Between the VA Clinic and the Northland Arboretum Click here for map.
Discovery Woods shares a building with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church but is not affiliated. The school and church are completely separate.
School District Number 4198
Discovery Woods has been assigned the school district number 4198 by the MN Deptartment of Education. The school is considered an independent public school district run by its own school board.
Student Applications
Student application forms are available on the enrollment link.
Discovery Woods is a tuition-free public charter school. It is open to any and all students, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or disability.
Discovery Woods is authorized by the Audubon Center of the North Woods (ACNW).
Vision
Discovery Woods Montessori School is dedicated to educational excellence, environmental stewardship and personal growth. Our graduates will have the foundation to be lifelong learners and responsible leaders.
Mission
To provide Brainerd Lakes Area families a choice for high quality elementary education based on Montessori philosophy with an environmental focus.
Timeline
- Sept 2008 Discovery Woods Development Team formed with three members: Charles McQuinn, Nicole Mills, and Courtney Neifert
- Nov ’08 – Mar ’09 Public informational meetings were held
- Nov ’08 – Mar ’09 Exploration Phase *Collected names of potential students, teachers, board members
- Apr ’09 – July ’09 Proposal Phase *Wrote plans detailing how the charter school will operate
- July ’09 Charter School Planning proposal submitted to the MN Department of Education (MDE)
- Oct ’09 Discovery Woods was one of four charter school applications approved by MDE
- Nov ’09 School board formed
- Nov ’09 – Aug 2011 School Development Phase
- Sept 2011 Opened with 99 students
