The Discovery School
Secular, Founded 1990
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
IB PYP
MontessoriAccreditations
Languages
EnglishThe Discovery School is a diverse and inclusive independent day school in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, serving students aged 18 months to 14 years. It offers a unique, progressive program that blends Montessori principles with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is committed to a progressive, innovative education that honors diversity and fosters knowledge, creativity, independent thinking, and mutual respect. It utilizes a growth mindset and emphasizes eco-conscious learning through its Eco-Discovery program. The educational approach is designed to nurture independence, curiosity, and self-advocacy, preparing students to be globally minded citizens.
Programmes
The academic program evolves from a Montessori-based curriculum for the youngest learners to an inquiry-based environment using the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme in elementary grades. The Middle School program (grades 6-8) focuses on fostering critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making. The school utilizes multi-age classes and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio to support personalized learning and differentiation.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides learning support services to its students. It can accommodate specific students who qualify for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), provided they can be successfully accommodated while upholding the school's mission. Admission for these students is determined through the standard admissions process.
Frequently asked questions(7)
- What curriculum does The Discovery School offer?
- The Discovery School offers IB PYP and Montessori.
- How much is tuition at The Discovery School?
- Annual tuition at The Discovery School is $13.5K–$24.5K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What ages does The Discovery School teach?
- The Discovery School enrolls students aged 1 to 14.
- Is The Discovery School a day or boarding school?
- The Discovery School is a day school.
- What accreditations does The Discovery School hold?
- The Discovery School holds accreditations including IB.
- Is The Discovery School co-educational?
- The Discovery School is a co-ed school.
- Where is The Discovery School located?
- The Discovery School is an international school in Ponte Vedra Beach, United States.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Day Toddler, Half Day | 1–3 | $13.5K |
| 5 Day Toddler, Half Day | 1–3 | $16.5K |
| 5 Day Toddler, Full Day | 1–3 | $20K |
| Primary, Half Day | 3–4 | $16.5K |
| Primary, Full Day | 3–4 | $20K |
| Kindergarten | 5–5 | $20.5K |
| Foundational Elementary Grade 1 | 6–6 | $21K |
| Lower Elementary Grades 2-3 | 7–8 | $21.5K |
| Upper Elementary Grades 4-5 | 9–10 | $22K |
| Middle School Grades 6-8 | 11–13 | $24.5K |
Other fees(5)
| Application fee· New Student Application Fee (must accompany online application) | $125 |
|---|---|
| Deposit· Non-refundable enrollment deposit required with enrollment agreement | $1K |
| Registration fee· Non-refundable NEW family Facility Fee required with enrollment agreement | $750 |
| Enrolment fee· Parent Association Dues (yearly/family) | $200 |
| Insurance· Mandatory for families who have installment payment plans that extend beyond the start of the school year | — |
Admissions
The school accepts applications on a rolling basis for current and future academic years. The admissions process involves a partnership between the school and families, taking into account the child's emotional and academic readiness as well as the existing classroom student body. The school offers need-based scholarships and accepts the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA).
Calendar
The school operates on a traditional academic calendar. The campus closes for holidays, such as the week of July 4th. The school provides a calendar subscription service that allows families to sync school events directly with personal calendar software like Microsoft Outlook, Apple iCal, and Google Calendar.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus features natural elements, including a canopy of mature Live Oaks, an edible schoolyard, gardens, and natural pathways. The layout includes an inner courtyard that creates a village-style atmosphere. The school provides extended care services for students.
Co-curriculars
Students participate in a variety of enrichments, including foreign language, STEaM, and a Youth Philanthropy Program. The school also offers athletics, after-school adventures, and summer camp programs. Additionally, the school maintains an OCEARCH partnership to support its educational initiatives.
- Petra ObritzbergerHead of School
Ms. Obritzberger has over 25 years of international educational leadership experience, having worked in Austria, Great Britain, Malta, and the United States. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University College of Teacher Education in Vienna and a master’s in educational leadership from Mercy University, and is an Executive Scholar in Nonprofit Management from the Kellogg School of Management. She joined The Discovery School in 2021.
- Helen Pajcic NicholsonBoard Chair
Helen Pajcic Nicholson is a graduate of Princeton University and previously served in the U.S. Congress, the Executive Office of the President, and the U.S. Department of Education. She currently serves as the unpaid CEO of the Pajcic Family Foundation.
- Cortney CroninVice Chair
Cortney Cronin is Senior Corporate Counsel at Accenture PLC, focusing on corporate governance, internal investigations, and employment law. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law.
- Hampton GrahamTreasurer
Hampton Graham is the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees.