Discovery Woods Learning Community

If your child does not have an IEP, this is a good school. If your child has any issues at all or is on an IEP, do not attend this school. There is no support for sp ed students who are not cookie cutter (clearly only one learning disorder diagnosed, etc). Also, small town politics run the discipline, PTA, and room parents. So if your kid is not a perfectionist and doesn’t fit in, it is a terrible experience. Some teachers are supportive.

We had high expectations from this school. But our child has not received much social/ emotional support. Love diversity and ignoring bullying remarks is an issue. Parents are reluctant to share issues with teachers. Victim kids are often blamed. Our child is not willing to go to school.

Kent Gardens is an excellent school with caring teachers and a welcoming environment. Highly recommended!

The principal's behavior can sometimes come across as passive-aggressive. Those who have interacted with her might sense that something is off. There are questions about whether she is the right fit for the role. Students are frequently sent to her office for minor reasons, suggesting a focus on controlling the narrative rather than addressing genuine issues.Additionally, the school appears to be heavily focused on influencing students' thinking. The selection process for the Advanced Academic Program (AAP) seems inconsistent, with many students admitted without meeting the necessary qualifications, leading to imbalanced class sizes—with 25 students in AAP classes compared to 18 in regular classes.She has the potential to be a good principal if she focuses on the students' benefit rather than her own agenda. Please consult with experienced teachers. There are teachers whom students love, respect, and eagerly look forward to attending their classes. It is quite evident who they are, and their advice should be valued.A growing number of teachers, including the principal, seem to struggle with earning the respect of the students. They may be kids, but they can sense who genuinely cares for them. They are more perceptive than we often give them credit for. I strongly recommend that parents talk to their child every day after school and to reach out to other parents to exchange information. Your guidance is crucial for your children's well-being.The fact that more than 10 teachers have left in the past two years is quite telling and indicates underlying issues that need to be addressed. On a positive note, the school is in a safe location, and the PTA is doing a great job.

Great school for Special Education kids. Teachers review IEP every year and follow it accordingly. Special Ed kids sit in least restrictive environment and get maximum support they need. 10/10 recommend this school.

As a parent, I’m really disappointed in the direction Country Day has taken. This used to be a strong school with a great reputation, but it’s clear that reputation is from another era. There’s been three heads of school in as many years over the time our family has been there, and the constant leadership changes have created real instability. Teachers leave constantly, and there’s no consistency from year to year. Some of the new hires have very little experience — we’ve even seen teachers as young as 19 leading classrooms. Basic vetting of teachers seems to be bypassed, with things coming to light months into teachers' tenure that a google search would have revealed. The school psychologist lives in Richmond and is only on campus three days a week, which just isn’t enough to meet students’ needs. Meanwhile, it feels like the admissions office actually runs the school, picking classes, and having a huge amount of sway over decisions that seem to prioritize optics and high amount donor families over the broader community.What’s even more frustrating is the defensiveness and lack of transparency from the administration. Questions are often brushed off or met with vague, polished answers rather than genuine communication. Parents who raise concerns are treated as problems rather than partners.The families and kids themselves are wonderful — truly one of the only bright spots — and there are some long term, really great teachers, but donor families are prioritized when it comes to who gets those teachers. Overall, it feels like you’re paying for playgrounds, marketing, and appearances, not for high-quality teaching or academic rigor. Like the other posters said, the campus is truly beautiful and the kids who don't have any extra needs seem genuinely happy (because they are playing all day). However, for the price point, parents should expect much better. Country Day seems to be running on the fumes of its reputation from 20 years ago, and it’s hard to see where meaningful improvement will come from under the current leadership, who has no experience in leadership at the Pre-K level.