Discovery Charter School

Charter School 536 Students

Elementary School K - 8th

School Overview

Discovery Charter School, located in Porter, Indiana, is a tuition-free public charter school that serves students in grades K-8. The school is well-regarded for its emphasis on a rigorous academic curriculum combined with a unique educational philosophy that prioritizes hands-on, project-based learning. By integrating environmental education and exploration into its daily operations, the school aims to foster a deep connection between its students and the natural world, often utilizing its proximity to the Indiana Dunes region to enhance the classroom experience.

Beyond its academic focus, Discovery Charter School prides itself on cultivating a supportive and tight-knit community. It operates with a commitment to small class sizes and personalized instruction, ensuring that teachers can address the individual needs and learning styles of every student. The school’s mission centers on developing well-rounded individuals who are not only prepared for high school success but are also encouraged to become responsible, inquisitive, and active participants in their local and global communities.

536

Total Students

34.0

Full-Time Teachers

15.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

39.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Discovery Charter School
Demographic	Student Count
White	343
Hispanic	99
Black	41
Asian	13
Two or More	40

White
343 (64.0%)
Hispanic
99 (18.5%)
Black
41 (7.6%)
Two or More
40 (7.5%)
Asian
13 (2.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Discovery Charter School
Phone:	(219)983-9800
Grade Range:	K - 8th
Total Students:	536
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	34.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	185
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	28

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 61

Grade 1 68

Grade 2 65

Grade 3 74

Grade 4 72

Grade 5 68

Grade 6 50

Grade 7 44

Grade 8 34