FAQ's

What is the LISD Discovery Academy?

The LISD Discovery Academy 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 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 participate in this tuition-based program, students are required to first submit an application and be selected.

When will the 2026-27 Discovery Academy application be available? 

The 2026-27 Discovery Academy application will open January 9, 2026, and close February 13, 2026, at 5 PM. Applicants will be emailed about their selection status on February 20, 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. Discovery Academy does NOT enroll children who are already 5 years old on or before September 1 of the enrolling school year. 

What are the 2026-27 locations for Discovery Academy?

• Forest Vista Elementary School (one DA class)
• Heritage Elementary School (three DA classes)
• Liberty Elementary School (two DA classes)
• Lillie J Jackson Early Childhood Center (two DA classes) 
• Memorial STEM Academy (two DA classes)
• Timber Creek Elementary School (one DA class)  

Are the classes of 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 when 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 am to 3:00 pm 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 am They may be picked no later than 5:30 pm and no earlier than 3:00 pm, which is the end of the elementary instructional school day. The Lillie J Jackson ECC instructional school day is 7:30 am - 2:45 pm.

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 on two staff early release days during the 2025-26 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 (2025-26 LISD school calendar). 

2025-26 early release dates and release times are:

• • • December 19, close at 3:30 (two hour early release) - Student & Staff Early Release
    • March 13, close at 4:30 (one hour early release) - Student & Staff Early Release (time subject to change)  

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 are aligned to the kindergarten 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 my child to experience when enrolled in a Discovery Academy class?

• Theme and standards aligned play based learning centers, such as dramatic play, block building, stories and books, science and nature activities, art and music, sensory, ABC, and math activities that are clearly defined, organized for independent use by children and arranged so that children’s activities are visible to the teacher and paraprofessional.
• Engaging experiences and age-appropriate environments that nurture little learners through play, curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving, communication, and cooperation.
• Time is devoted each day to learning in a variety of instructional arrangements; whole groups, small groups, and independent learning centers.
• A print rich environment with books and labels to promote language and literacy development.
• Authentic student work that shows evidence of students' steps towards learning new skills. 
• A language and literacy rich environment including interactive read alouds, books, vocabulary and labels to promote development.
• Technology is integrated in developmentally appropriate ways to enhance collaboration and learning and promote creativity and digital citizenship.
• Math manipulatives to support exploration and inquiry. Students will encounter numerous opportunities to sort, count, compare numbers, create and extend patterns, explore foundational geometry skills, and solve problems.
• Caring interactions, materials, and areas to support intentional, age-appropriate social-emotional development and regulation.
• Time in the daily schedule for recess, play, meals, rest/nap, and specials (art, music, STEM, and PE). 

Does Discovery Academy have a student handbook?

Yes, refer to the LISD Discovery Academy Handbook for more information about this unique, tuition-based  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 2025-26 Discovery Academy was August 1, 2025. LISD's, and Discovery Academy's, last day of school is May 22, 2026 (2025-26 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 and children/grandchildren of LISD employees at a reduced tuition rate.

What is the registration fee for Discovery Academy?

The non-refundable registration fee is $240 for non-LISD employee children and $220 for LISD employee children/grandchildren. $100 of the fee is credited towards the first month's tuition. The registration fee is paid via Revtrak online payments. 

What are the tuition rates? 

Tuition for a non-prekindergarten eligible student is $840. Tuition for a prekindergarten eligible 4-year-old student is $340 and a prekindergarten eligible 3-year-old student is $640. The non-refundable registration fee is $240 ($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. Children and grandchildren of LISD employees and students who qualify for state-funded PreK receive a reduced tuition rate. 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 fluctuate from month to month based on the number of school days per month?

No, tuition rates do not fluctuate 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 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 on the LISD Child Nutrition website. Families may apply for the Federal Free/Reduced meal assistance program on the LISD Child Nutrition website.

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, open on every LISD teacher contract day, including teacher work days and teacher professional development days. Discovery Academy opened to students on Aug. 1, 2025 and the last day of school for Discovery Academy is May 22, 2026. 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 a.m - 3:00 p.m. 

May 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 2:00 PM 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 illness, quarantine or school closure?

Refunds or tuition credits are NOT provided due to 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 2026-27 Discovery Academy application will open January 9, 2026, and close February 13, 2026, at 5 PM. Applicants will be emailed about their selection status on February 20, by 5 PM. 

How are students selected for a Discovery Academy class?

Families must submit a Discovery Academy application to be considered for selection. 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. 

If a child is not initially selected, they will be kept on the waiting list. Additionally, the a Discovery Academy waiting list application re-opens later each 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 online LISD student enrollment, submitting their Discovery Academy Handbook Agreement to the Early Childhood office via Google Form, and pay the non-refundable $240 registration fee via Revtrak 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 transportation is not provided for Discovery Academy students. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the campus with Discovery Academy.

Does Discovery Academy require that students wear uniforms? 

No, uniforms are not required by 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 small 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 are the Discovery Academy Parent Information Meetings for 2026-27 selection?

The 2026-27 Discovery Academy Parent Information meetings are listed below.

Both in-person and virtual parent info meetings were available. Virtual parent info meetings via Webex were also available. Sign up HERE to attend a Virtual Discovery Academy Parent Info Meeting. The link to the virtual meeting room will be emailed to those who sign up.

 

Virtual parent info meetings via Webex are also available. Sign up HERE to attend a Virtual Discovery Academy Parent Info Meeting. The link to the virtual meeting room will be emailed to those who register.