Discovery STEM Academy

1712 Chestnut Ave
Newport News, VA 23607

magruder.nn.k12.va.us/

561 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Discovery STEM Academy, located in Newport News, Virginia, is a specialized elementary school within the Newport News Public Schools district that prioritizes a rigorous, project-based curriculum centered on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The school is designed to foster innovation and critical thinking by integrating hands-on learning experiences into everyday instruction. By utilizing modern technology and collaborative workspaces, the academy prepares its students to excel in a rapidly evolving global economy, emphasizing both academic proficiency and the development of 21st-century problem-solving skills.

Beyond its focus on technical proficiency, Discovery STEM Academy emphasizes a supportive and inquiry-based community culture. The school encourages strong partnerships between students, educators, and the surrounding community to create an environment where curiosity is celebrated and diversity is valued. Through its dedicated STEM-focused pedagogy, the school aims to cultivate the next generation of researchers, engineers, and creative thinkers, ensuring that every student has the tools and confidence to succeed in future academic and professional endeavors.

561

Total Students

32.0

Full-Time Teachers

17.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

98.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Discovery STEM Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	12
Hispanic	52
Black	457
Two or More	37
American Indian	1
Pacific Islander	2

Black
457 (81.5%)
Hispanic
52 (9.3%)
Two or More
37 (6.6%)
White
12 (2.1%)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.4%)
American Indian
1 (0.2%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Newport News City Public Schools
Phone:	(757)928-6838
Website:	http://magruder.nn.k12.va.us/
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	561
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	32.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	555
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* 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

Pre-Kindergarten 9

Kindergarten 84

Grade 1 100

Grade 2 99

Grade 3 107

Grade 4 82

Grade 5 80