Needs Improvement
#1677 of 1,850 schools in VA
Discovery Stem Academy
Elementary School · Newport News City Public Schools
1712 Chestnut Ave, Newport News, VA 23607
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newport News
#36 of 39
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#986 of 1,147
In district
#37 of 40
Newport News City Public Schools
About Discovery Stem Academy
Discovery STEM Academy is an elementary school nestled in the heart of Newport News, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Discovery STEM Academy offers a unique educational experience with its focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. With an enrollment of 550 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from the dedicated teaching staff.
The academic performance at Discovery STEM Academy shows room for improvement, with test scores placing it in the lower percentile among Virginia schools. On average, 43% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 46% do so in Math. These figures highlight areas where additional support and resources could make a significant impact.
Discovery STEM Academy is situated in a vibrant mid-size city environment, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods that contribute to the rich community life around the school.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Discovery Stem Academy — Students at Discovery Stem Academy score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.0/10.
How Discovery Stem Academy Compares
See how Discovery Stem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 49% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 43% (2025).
Location
1712 Chestnut Ave, Newport News, VA 23607
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Discovery Stem Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A.W.E. Bassette Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aberdeen Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newport News, see our Newport News schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CALVARY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Newport News | 0.1 mi | — |
| Achievable Dream Academy Newport News | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| John Marshall Early Childhood Center Newport News | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| B.T. Washington Middle Newport News | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Newsome Park Elementary Newport News | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Achievable Dream Middle/High Newport News | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Huntington Middle Newport News | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Heritage High Newport News | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| C. Alton Lindsay Middle Hampton | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hampton | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| NEW MOUNT OLIVE CHRISTIAN DAYCARE & ACADEMY Hampton | 2.7 mi | — |
| A.W.E. Bassette Elementary Hampton | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Hunter B. Andrews Hampton | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Hampton High Hampton | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Armstrong Elementary Hampton | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Newport News | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Aberdeen Elementary Hampton | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| FAITH OUTREACH EDUCATION CENTER Hampton | 3.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Crittenden Middle Newport News | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
| WARWICK KIDS ACADEMY Newport News | 3.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23607 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,904
Median Home Value
$146,400
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
Population
23,028
College Educated
13.8%
Homeownership
29.9%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
28.9%
Median Age
33.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Discovery Stem Academy has a median household income of $42,904. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,400, with a median rent of $1,104/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brookneal Elementary Brookneal, VA | 3.8 |
| Forestdale Elementary Springfield, VA | 3.8 |
| George Carr Round Elementary Manassas, VA | 3.8 |
| Greenwood Mill Elementary Winchester, VA | 3.8 |
| Henry D. Ward Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.8 |
| Jacob L. Adams Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Discovery Stem Academy
What grades does Discovery Stem Academy serve?
Discovery Stem Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Discovery Stem Academy?
Discovery Stem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 550 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Stem Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Stem Academy is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Discovery Stem Academy rank in VA?
Discovery Stem Academy is ranked #1677 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Discovery Stem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery Stem Academy has a composite rating of 3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Discovery Stem Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Stem Academy has 45.5% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Discovery Stem Academy a charter school?
No, Discovery Stem Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Discovery Stem Academy a Title I school?
No, Discovery Stem Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Stem Academy?
97.3% of students at Discovery Stem Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newport News). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 550
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Newport News city
- Phone
- (757) 928-6838
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newport News City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,183
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,082
- District Rank
- #37 of 40
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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