Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

From the Sponsor

We are excited to bring Discovery’s successful education model to Baton Rouge and expand our partnership with Ochsner. At Discovery, we strive to create meaningful and engaging learning opportunities so all students thrive. We recognize each child is unique and understanding how a child learns is important. We offer various support services to accommodate all types of learners. Through a strong academic program and health sciences integration, students can discover talents, explore opportunities, and achieve success.

Discovery Schools began serving families in 2013 when it opened its first school, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy in Jefferson Parish. An idea held by a group of Jefferson Parish residents to reform public education has since grown into an academically successful charter school network. In 2018, the founding team at Kenner Discovery developed a central office — Discovery Schools — and expanded the school’s success to serve more students. The second school, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery, opened in August 2020 implementing the structures and best practices that contributed to the success of Kenner Discovery.

Our third school, Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy is a partnership between Ochsner and Discovery Schools. The school will open in August 2023 located at 17255 S. Harrells Ferry Road in Baton Rouge. In year 1 the school will serve students in grades Pre-K through 4th grade. The school will add a grade level each year until it reaches 8th grade.

Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery is a tuition-free, public school that offers a health sciences-integrated curriculum with the flexibility to adapt to student’s individual educational needs. All Louisiana residents are eligible to apply. Children of current Ochsner employees will comprise about half of the enrollment, while the other half will be open to the community.

Discovery Schools offers Academic Intervention in reading and math for students who are below the benchmark. Students identified receive individual or small group intervention at least twice a week.

Discovery has Counseling Services with short-term individual and group counseling for students. Parents/guardians or school staff may refer students for counseling, or students may request counseling. The counselors work with teachers and parents to provide appropriate support for students when needed.

Discovery offers Special Education and Section 504 services. This department consists of five primary service areas: Special Education, Resources, Gifted & Talented, English Language Learners, and Support/Related Services (Speech/Language, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Adaptive Physical Education, and Visual Impairment). Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of non-disabled peers. Students who meet the qualifications for a 504 plan are eligible for accommodations and/or modifications.

Discovery students benefit from extracurricular classes learning the fundamentals of music, art, physical education, Spanish, and computer. Limited after school activities are offered based on student interest and availability. Parents can learn more by visiting our website at www.discoveryhsf.org/o/brod or contacting the admissions office at 504-233-4720 or admissions@discoveryhsf.org.

Pre-K-4th (Pre-K through 8th by 2027-28 school year)

School Features:

• Integrated STEM curriculum
• No admissions testing
• Tuition-free
• Academic intervention
• Counseling services
• Athletic opportunities starting in middle school