FAQ's

  • What is the LISD Discovery Academy?

    The LISD Discovery Academy at Hebron Valley, Heritage, Liberty, and Valley Ridge Elementary is an exclusive Preschool program in Lewisville ISD. Discovery Academy classes are extended day, tuition-based PreK classes taught by a certified teacher and a paraprofessional utilizing LISD curriculum based on Texas PreK Guidelines.  Enrollment priority is given to tuition-paying students living within the Discovery Academy's designated school zone.  Tuition paying children wishing to enroll who live outside the academy school zone, may also apply. The ratio for each Discovery Academy class is 11:1 during instructional school day hours, 7:45-3:00, with one certified teacher and one paraprofessional for up to 22 students. Ratios vary during extended hours before and after the instructional school day. To experience this program, students are required to first submit an application.

    When will the 2025-26 Discovery Academy application be available? 

    The 2025-26 Discovery Academy application opens January 13, 2025, and closes February 18, 2025, at 5 PM. Applicants will be emailed about their selection status on February 21, by 5 PM. 

    Who can apply to attend a Discovery Academy Preschool class?

    Children ages three or four years old on or before Sept. 1 of the enrolling school year and who wish to pay tuition to attend an extended day LISD PreK may apply. Limited space is available to children who qualify for state-funded PreK and for children or grandchildren of LISD employees looking for a full day option. Current PreK feeder patterns will continue to be followed for students who qualify for state-funded PreK.

    Children must be fully potty-trained to participate and must abide by the LISD Student Code of Conduct. The tuition program is not designed to support students with extreme behaviors requiring 1-on-1 support.

    How old does my child have to be to enroll in Discovery Academy? 

    Discovery Academy enrolls children who are 3 and 4 years old on or before September 1 of the enrolling school year and are fully potty-trained. DA does NOT enroll children who are already 5 years old on or before September 1 of the enrolling school year. 

    Are the classes mixed ages or are the 3 and 4-year-olds in separate classes? 

    DA classes are mixed ages with the 3 and 4-year-olds together. Students participate in small group instruction each day where the curriculum is differentiated according to their needs, instructional level and development. 

    What are the Discovery Academy hours?

    Discovery Academy opens at 6:50 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. daily; open on every LISD teacher contract day, including teacher work days. The instructional school hours are 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Discovery Academy students can be dropped off as early as 6:50 and must be at school by the start of the elementary instructional school day at 7:45 a.m. They may be picked no later than 5:30 p.m. and no earlier than 3:00 p.m., which is the end of the elementary instructional school day.

    What is the attendance expectation for Discovery Academy? 

    Students enrolled in Discovery Academy are expected to attend class throughout the entire school year to receive the full benefit of the program. Students who qualify for state-funded prekindergarten are subject to truancy policies if they are truant from school. Discovery Academy students who do not qualify for state-funded kindergarten are expected to follow the LISD attendance policies as a participant in DA. Please refer to the LISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct for LISD’s attendance policies. 

    Does Discovery Academy ever have an early release?

    Yes, Discovery Academy releases early only on two staff early release days during the 2024-25 school year. On Staff Early Release Days, the program closes either one or two hours early, depending on the staff early release schedule set by the district (2024-25 LISD school calendar HERE). 

    2024-25 early release dates and release times are:

        • Dec. 20, 2024 closing at 3:30 

        • March 7, 2025 closing at 4:30 

    On days that are early release for students only, the Discovery Academy remains open for its regular hours, closing at 5:30.  

    What will my child learn at the Discovery Academy?

    All Discovery Academy classes follow the LISD PreK curriculum, which is developed by certified PreK teachers and is based on the Texas PreK Guidelines, written for three and four-year-olds and aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The PreK Guidelines include emphasis on language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, music, art, creative dramatics, health, safety, physical, emotional and social development. Discovery Academy students also experience a STEM enriched curriculum designed specifically for prekindergarten students and taught during a STEM enrichment class. Visit www.tea.state.tx.us for more details on the Texas PreK guidelines.

    What can I expect to see when visiting a Discovery Academy class?

    • Engaging learning experiences and age-appropriate environments that nurture curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving, communication, and cooperation.
    • Large group and small group instruction aligned to Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and respect the developmental needs of young children.
    • Interest centers, such as dramatic play, block building, stories and books, science and nature activities, art and music, sensory, and problem-solving activities that are clearly defined, organized for independent use by children, and designed to foster interaction and engage curious young learners.  
    • Technology is integrated in developmentally appropriate ways to enhance learning and promote creativity and digital citizenship.
    • A print rich environment with books and labels to promote language and literacy development.
    • Authentic student work that shows evidence of their steps towards learning new skills. 
    • Math manipulatives promote foundational number sense development via counting, comparison, patterning, and problem-solving.
    • Materials and areas to support intentional, age-appropriate social-emotional development.
    • Time in the daily schedule for large group and small group learning, recess, Specials/Enrichment class, play, meals, and rest/nap. 

    Does Discovery Academy have a student handbook?

    Yes, refer to the LISD Discovery Academy Handbook HERE for more information about this unique prekindergarten program. 

    Will my child experience Specials/Enrichment classes as a Discovery Academy student?

    Yes, all LISD Discovery Academy students will have the unique opportunity to attend enrichment classes for STEM, art, music, and PE, each on a weekly basis.

    How is Discovery Academy different from a typical PreK class?

    There are three major differences between a Discovery Academy class and a typical PreK class:

    • Discovery Academy classes participate in an enrichment class every day during the school day, either STEM, art, music, or PE.
    • Discovery Academy classes have an extended daily schedule from 6:50 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and an extended school calendar; open on every LISD teacher contract day, including teacher work days. 
      • The opening day for 2024-25 Discovery Academy is August 2, 2024 and the last day of school is May 23, 2024 (2024-25 LISD school calendar).
    • Discovery Academy is a tuition-based class. Tuition is paid on the first of the month, August - April.
    • Discovery Academy enrolls students who do not qualify for state-funded PreK and wish to attend LISD's high quality prekindergarten program by paying tuition. It also enrolls students who qualify for state-funded PreK at a reduced tuition rate.

    What is the registration fee for Discovery Academy?

    A $220 non-refundable enrollment fee ($100 is credited towards the first month's tuition fee) is required to secure a child's spot in Discovery Academy. The $220 registration fee is paid via Revtrack online payments.

    What are the tuition rates?

    Tuition for a non-prekindergarten eligible student is $820. Tuition for a prekindergarten eligible 4-year-old student is $320 and a prekindergarten eligible 3-year-old student is $620. The non-refundable registration fee is $220 ($100 is credited towards the first month's tuition fee). A late charge of $30 is assessed for payments received after the 5th of the month. The full tuition chart can be found HERE. There is no reduced rate for families who do not wish to utilize the extended hours or days. 

    When are tuition payments due? 

    Tuition is due on the first day of every month and is paid from August to April (nine equal payments in all). A late charge of $30 is assessed for payments received after the 5th of the month.

    Do tuition rates change from month to month based on the number of school days per month?

    No, tuition rates do not change from month to month. The payments are the same each month, regardless of the number of school days in the month. The total amount of tuition for the entire school year is divided by nine to arrive at the nine equal monthly payment amounts. 

    What is the tuition payment schedule for Discovery Academy?

    Tuition payments should be paid on the first of the month, August through April (9 equal monthly payments). A $30 late fee is charged for payment received after the 5th of the month. If a payment is more than ten days late, the child will be dropped from the class. 

    What are the tuition payment options? 

    We accept tuition payments via Revtrak online payments or via check or money order. LISD employees pay tuition via payroll auto-draft. Non-LISD employees can set up tuition auto payments with their bank. Cash payments are not accepted. In-person payments with a check or money order are accepted between 8:00-4:30, Monday - Friday at the LISD Welcome Center on 1565-C West Main Street, Lewisville, 75067. 

    Are breakfast, lunch, and a snack provided?

    Meals are NOT included in the Discovery Academy tuition rate. A late afternoon snack is included in tuition fees. Breakfast and lunch menus can be found here.  

    Which campuses in LISD have Discovery Academy?

    • Hebron Valley Elementary - two classes
    • Liberty Elementary - two classes
    • Valley Ridge Elementary - one class
    • Heritage Elementary - two class

    What are the times and days that Discovery Academy is open?

    Discovery Academy classes have an extended daily schedule, opening at 6:50 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m. and an extended school calendar by being open on every LISD teacher contract day, including teacher work days and teacher professional development days. The last day of school for Discovery Academy is May 23, 2024. Because Discovery Academy classes are located on an Elementary Campus and operate on a school day schedule, it is imperative that all Discovery Academy students arrive at or before the start of the campus-scheduled school day and are picked up on or after the school’s dismissal time. The elementary school start and end times are 7:45 - 3:00. 

    Can I check my child out from Discovery Academy and return them to the campus after the school's dismissal only to participate in the after-school, extended care hours? 

    No, students who are checked out from school cannot be returned to campus after 2:30 only to participate in the extended hours/after-school care. 

    Is there a reduced tuition rate if we do not use the extended daily hours (before and after school hours) or extra days when Discovery Academy is open on all teacher work or professional development days? 

    No, there is no reduced tuition rate if a family chooses not to use the extended daily hours or extra school days.

    Will I receive a refund or tuition credit for my child's absence caused by COVID illness, quarantine or school closure?

    Refunds or tuition credits are NOT provided due to COVID related illness, quarantine, or school closure. The only time refunds are considered is if a closure extends longer than 6 weeks.

    Do I have to fill out an application for the Discovery Academy?

    Yes, an application is required and space in Discovery Academy is limited. The 2025-26 Discovery Academy application opens January 13, 2025, and closes February 18, 2024, at 5 PM. Applicants will be emailed about their selection status on February 21, by 5 PM. 

    How are students selected for a Discovery Academy class?

    Students are selected based on a randomized selection of all applications submitted during the open application period, giving priority to students who live in the school zone with the respective Discovery Academy class. Applicants with a sibling who attends the school with Discovery Academy or have a parent who works at the school with Discovery Academy also receive additional priority in the selection process.

    Families must submit a Discovery Academy application for the 2025-24 school year between January 13 - February 18, 2025 to be considered for initial selection. The application closes at 5:00 PM on February 18, 2024. Applicants will be emailed about their selection status on February 21, by 5 PM. 

    If a child is not initially selected, they will be kept on the waiting list and may still get a spot in a class. Additionally, the Discovery Academy application may re-open later in the Spring. 

    What happens when my child is selected for a Discovery Academy class?

    Applicants who are selected will be notified by email. At which time, the parent should proceed with completing on-line LISD student enrollment, submitting their Discovery Academy Handbook Agreement to the Early Childhood office via Google Form, and pay the non-refundable $220 registration fee via Revtrack online payments to secure their spot. The Registration Fee and Discovery Academy Handbook Agreement must be received within 5 business days of parent notification of acceptance into the Discovery Academy in order to secure their child's spot in the class, otherwise the spot will be offered to the next child on the waiting list. Click HERE to learn more about enrollment in PreK in LISD.

    Is transportation provided for Discovery Academy students?

    No, parents are responsible for transportation to and from the campus with Discovery Academy.  

    Is there a suggested supply list for Discovery Academy?

    Yes, linked here is the generic suggested PreK Supply list, but each campus may have specific supply requests that they will communicate to families of enrolled Discovery Academy students. 

    Do children have a rest period at Discovery Academy?

    Yes, children have a daily rest period. A nap mat is provided. Children can bring a blanket and/or small pillow from home. Children are not required to sleep, but are expected to be quiet on their mat. 

    When and where were the Discovery Academy Parent Information Meetings for 2024-25 enrollment?

    The 2024 Discovery Academy Parent Information meetings are listed below. In-person and virtual parent info meetings were hosted according to the schedule below. 

    • Heritage Elementary School - January 16 at 5:00 - 6:00 PM - In Person
    • Hebron Valley Elementary School - February 1 at 5:00 - 6:00 PM - In Person
    • Valley Ridge STEM Academy - February 5 at 5:00 - 6:00 PM - In Person
    • Liberty Elementary School - February 5 at 5:00 - 6:00 PM - In Person
    • General Virtual Discovery Academy Parent Info Meeting dates & times
        • January 11 at 4:00 - 5:00 PM VIRTUAL
        • February 5 at 1:00 - 2:00 PM VIRTUAL
        • February 9 at 4:00 - 5:00 PM VIRTUAL