Discovery Woods

Charter School 102 Students

Elementary School K - 6th

School Overview

Discovery Woods is a public charter school located in Brainerd, Minnesota, that serves students in grades K–8. The school is defined by its commitment to an experiential, student-centered learning model that emphasizes hands-on exploration and a strong connection to the natural environment. By prioritizing small class sizes and a personalized approach to education, Discovery Woods fosters a close-knit community where teachers can tailor instruction to meet the specific developmental and academic needs of each child.

The school’s curriculum is deeply rooted in inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to actively engage with the world around them rather than relying solely on traditional textbook instruction. This focus on "discovery" extends beyond the classroom walls, as the school integrates nature and outdoor activities into the daily educational experience. By blending academic rigor with a supportive, community-focused atmosphere, Discovery Woods aims to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning in its students.

102

Total Students

8.3

Full-Time Teachers

12.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

63.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Discovery Woods
Demographic	Student Count
White	88
Hispanic	2
Two or More	11
American Indian	1

White
88 (86.3 %)
Two or More
11 (10.8 %)
Hispanic
2 (2.0 %)
American Indian
1 (1.0 %)

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 Woods
Phone:	(218)828-8200
Website:	http://discoverywoods.com/
Grade Range:	K - 6th
Total Students:	102
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	8.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	52
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	13

* 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 15

Grade 1 20

Grade 2 18

Grade 3 12

Grade 4 20

Grade 5 10

Grade 6 7