SCHOOL discovery middle

Discovery Middle School (DMS) unites students transitioning from elementary level grades into our Grade 6-8 Alexandria Cardinal middle school community.

Within the world of young adolescents, there are a variety of changes occurring in the middle school years. Discovery Middle School educators embrace this developmental stage and focus on providing supportive, responsive learning environments where students thrive socially, emotionally and academically. Students encounter new and exciting opportunities for social emotional growth as they forge new friendships and experiences.

Students are part of cohesive learning teams in Grades 6, 7 and 8, overseen by a group of teachers who foster a caring, personalized learning experience. Coursework and learning are designed to ignite exploration, allowing students to uncover passions and interests, while expanding relationships amongst peers. Staff cultivates high expectations and advances student learning. Student learning broadens student communication skills, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Students enjoy coursework in a variety of Discovery Middle School settings including the Family and Consumer Science Lab, the Tech Innovation Shop, Maker Space, the weight room, a fine arts music complex, a swimming pool, an auditorium and five state-of-the-art gymnasiums. Students also access an expansive and beautiful outdoor learning space during the school day and after school. Our outdoor space includes a nature trail, a track, football fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, an ice skating rink, and baseball/softball fields. A wide variety of extracurricular programs before and after school are available to students Discovery’s indoor and outdoor settings.

Discovery Middle School values a connected, collaborative school culture which interweaves the strengths of our students, families, staff and community to continuously improve and grow. We are a school community filled with active learning and Cardinal pride.

Discovery Middle School is located at 510 McKay Ave. N. in Alexandria.