Applications
The 2025-2026 application opened on December 1, 2024, and closed on February 1, 2025 for grades K-5. Applications are currently being accepted for 6th grade only until May 23, 2025. All eligible prospective 6th grade applicants will participate in admissions testing on May 28. To be eligible for testing, students must have met or exceeded expectations on TCAP for the past two years.
Use the button below to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Discovery School different from a traditional public school?
Discovery School is an academically accelerated school for high achieving and gifted children.
Is Discovery School a city or county school? Do you accept applications from county residents?
Discovery School is a Murfreesboro City School. As such, we accept city students first and if positions are available after that list has been exhausted, we will test and accept Rutherford County children. Residency will be verified (business addresses are not accepted).
Is Discovery School a charter school?
Discovery School is Murfreesboro City Schools magnet campus; we are not a charter school.
What happens if my child is accepted as a city student and we move to the county?
You will be required to enroll in a county school.
How many positions are available?
We accept 60 kindergarten students. Availability for 1st through 6th grades depends on the number of students that do not return for the next school year. Often, we do not know of openings for upper grades until close to the beginning of the school year. We fill positions through the end of September.
Please tell me about the application process.
Applications are available on our website, DiscoverySchoolExplorers.net. We will provide technology at the school for anyone who needs to complete their application in-person. The documents required for each grade level are listed on the application.
Once your application has been processed by our office, you will receive a confirmation email. We do not process incomplete applications– please be sure all required information is included with the application. Testing dates and times will be sent via email. You will also receive a reminder email the day before your scheduled test. Be sure to check your spam folder also. All communication regarding testing is done via email.
When testing has been completed, students will be ranked and accepted according to test scores and positions available. You will receive a letter stating if your child has been accepted or placed on the waitlist (with their position.)
I did not turn in my completed application by the deadline, will it be accepted?
We do not accept late applications unless we do not have enough children qualify that turned in their application by the deadline.
What is the testing process?
Kindergarten and 1st grade testing will be completed in a small group setting. The test directions will be orally read and students will be guided through the testing process. Testing will take approximately one hour.
Second through 6th grade will be tested in a larger group. They will wear earbuds and listen to prompts and complete their test on a computer. Testing will take approximately one hour.
What if my child is sick the day they are scheduled for testing?
If your child is sick the day of their testing, please contact the school and we will reschedule.
May I get a copy of my child’s scores?
Since we test a large number of children, we are unable to provide individual test scores.
What is your sibling policy?
Applicants who are siblings of currently enrolled students will have priority and will be admitted as ranked within each stanine. The city student/county student policy listed above does apply.
May my child repeat a grade at Discovery School?
No, we do not allow students to repeat grades, they will need to go to their zoned school in order to repeat a grade. If your child has attended kindergarten, they must apply for 1st grade.
Do you offer tours?
Yes, tours for the upcoming school year took place during Winter 2025. Prospective 6th grade families will be able to arrange a tour upon receiving an admissions offer in June 2025.
Does my child have to retest each year?
Current students do not need to retest each year. Students may be required to return to their zoned school if academic, attendance, punctuality and behavior standards are not maintained.
Children that were placed on the wait list and did not gain entrance or did not meet the requirements, will need to retest for the following year.
Do you offer bus transportation?
As a choice school, we do not offer bus transportation. We offer an Extended Stay Program (ESP) that provides care and enrichment classes before school from 6:00-7:30 a.m. and after school from 2:45-6:00 p.m.