Discovery STEM Academy

Discovery STEM Academy, located in Newport News, Virginia, is a public magnet school serving Pre-K through grade 5, operated by Newport News City Public Schools.Under the leadership of Principal Viveca Rutland, the academy implements a fully integrated STEM curriculum using a problem-based design process in which each unit revolves around real-world challenges.The facility includes collaborative learning zones, a nutrition lab, an edible garden, outdoor learning courtyards, and a two-level media center, all meant to support inquiry and cross-disciplinary instruction.Discovery STEM Academy also offers literacy, social studies, arts, and health education alongside its STEM focus. The school’s student population is socioeconomically diverse, with a majority eligible for free or reduced lunch, and it prioritizes equity and inclusive access to high-quality learning experiences.

Newport News Public Schools launched a virtual after-school STEM Academy for students in grades 4–8, operating from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, open to DSA students and others.

The district secured a $2 million DoDEA grant in late 2024 to expand STEM initiatives across NNPS schools, benefiting magnet schools including Discovery STEM Academy.

1. How many students attend Discovery STEM Academy and what is class size like?

Ans. The school supports about 550 students in grades Pre-K–5, with a student-teacher ratio around 17:1

2. How do students at Discovery STEM Academy perform on state assessments?

Ans. In recent years, approximately 35 % of learners achieved proficiency in reading/language arts and 14 % in math, placing the school in the lower half of Virginia’s elementary rankings.

3. What is the demographic and economic profile of the student body?

Ans. Nearly 97 % of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the student body is predominantly Black (about 84 %), with smaller Hispanic, multiracial, and White populations.

4. What distinguishes the magnet/STEM program at this school?

Ans. Discovery integrates STEM into everyday instruction via design-process learning. Students tackle real-world problems in interdisciplinary units.The campus includes a nutrition lab, edible garden, outdoor learning spaces, media center, and collaborative zones.

5. How does Discovery STEM Academy secure additional funding and resources?

Ans. The school is designated Title I and uses platforms like DonorsChoose to fund teacher and classroom projects.