A message from the Head of School

Dear Discovery Families,

This month, we have watched our students engage in a wide range of exciting activities. From the spirited discussions in classrooms to the creative projects that have come to life. I encourage you to ask your children about their classroom experiences; their stories are a testament to the vibrant learning environment we strive to cultivate.

I’m also looking forward to our annual Fall Fest, also known as Swamp Fest, which is just around the corner! This festival unites families for a weekend of fun, food, student performances, and entertainment. Please mark your calendars for November 8 and 9 and consider volunteering your time. It will be held at the Loyola campus and everyone is welcome! It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with the Discovery community. BROD will host its own Fall Fest during the school day on October 31st. This event will resemble the early days of Fall Fest at Kenner Discovery, and we are excited to see it take off.

As we approach the end of the first quarter, it is essential for parents to remain engaged in their children’s education. Please check in with your child about their progress and interests. Our dedicated faculty is always here to support both students and parents, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are making this an enriching year for our students. I wish you and your families a joyful and safe October.

With Discovery pride,

Sharon Preen, M.Ed.

CEO/Head of Schools

Introducing the Head of School Student Advisory Council

The Head of School Student Advisory Council, comprising 25-30 juniors and seniors, will provide valuable input on academic matters and campus life. Teachers, coaches, or administrators nominated students and then invited them to apply for the council. Members will meet regularly with the Head of School and other administrators during school hours. The goal of the council is to increase student engagement by sharing ideas and making recommendations to improve the overall Discovery experience. We look forward to a year of open communication, collaboration, and new opportunities for students.

Senior Jaden Newman Named National Merit Semifinalist

Discovery Schools is proud to announce that Kenner Discovery senior and founding student Jaden Newman has been named a National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist, an honor placing her among the top academic performers in Louisiana and across the nation.

As a Semifinalist, Jaden now has the opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded next spring. Jaden’s Discovery journey began in Kindergarten, and she has grown into a standout leader both inside and outside the classroom. She currently serves as Historian for the National Honor Society, is a founding member and captain of the girls' wrestling program, a Pathway Ambassador, President of the National Art Honor Society, a member of the Student Council, Key Club, HOSA, and a Freshman Academy Mentor. She is also a Certified Patient Care Technician and competes in Powerlifting.

Jaden is part of the Class of 2026, the seventh senior class to graduate from Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy.

Celebrating Our Senior Students: Homegrown Heart Tribute

We are excited to honor a special group of seniors who began their journey with us in kindergarten. These remarkable individuals have grown and flourished within our school community, embodying the spirit of HEART. The class of 2026 is the first cohort to complete 13 years of education at Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy. This group holds a special place in our hearts, as they are also among the founding students.

We also want to acknowledge the parents who chose to start their children’s educational journey at a new school; what a journey it has been! To celebrate our seniors and their unique experiences and contributions, we are proud to introduce the tribute “Homegrown Heart”. We look forward to honoring this special group of students throughout the year.

Class of 2026 Homegrown Heart Honorees:

Adriel Alberto

Nathan Anderson

Ava Brandt

Mia Breaux

Peyton Brown

Avid Cardona

Sophia Caronna

Nathan Cisneros

Jayden Coleman

Brennan Deist

Addison Diaz

Isabella Driscoll

Peyton Elmer

Antonio Ford

Josyra Gallardo

Jonathan Graffagnini

John Gross

Brenden Hebert

Johnathan Hines

Gemarr Hodges

Tayler Hoggatt

Mason Holt

Sophia Hope

Thomas House

Laila James

Ethan Kihnel

Ronald Krummel

Olivia Lassalle

Andrea' Martinez-Flores

Camden Miller

Jaden Newman

Jonas Newton

Lillian Quarles-Miller

Connor Rogan

Hunter Sadowski

Madigan Sanchez

Kennedy Seals

Nema Shaw

Leah Tejeda

Alyssa Verrette

Kayla Verrette

Isaiah Vogel

White Coat Ceremony

On Tuesday, September 23rd, we proudly celebrated 40 students at our Biomedical White Coat Ceremony. This meaningful tradition signifies a key milestone as students receive their white coats during their third Biomed course in the fall. We honor the white coat as a symbol of professionalism, ethics, and dedication to the pursuit of science. It marks the start of their journey toward becoming the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

Photos by student photographer, Lyndsey Griffith

Pathway Ambassadors

Pathway Ambassadors is an organization established to enhance students' understanding of various academic pathways. It involves upperclassmen representing multiple pathways, including Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Publications, Engineering, Hospitality, IT, Business, Sports Med, Robotics, and Music. The Pathway Ambassadors meet monthly to discuss and enhance their pathways while providing valuable information to students. They also participated in presentations for incoming freshmen, showcasing the benefits and activities associated with each pathway. It plays a crucial role in guiding students through their academic choices. This year, Pathway Ambassadors hopes to share the information with the Discovery middle schools.

FUNdraiser Updates

Boosterthon at BROD

BROD raised over $10,000 for STEM supplies for the Makerspace and STEM lab. These supplies will be used across all grade levels.

City Park Night

Thank you for participating in Discovery's City Park Night. This FUNdraiser was able to raise $15,000 for the Discovery network. This funding will be used to purchase iPads and laptops equipped with specialized software to support our students with diverse academic needs.

Coaches' Corner

Coach Crayton, Head Football Coach

Football serves as a platform for teaching key life lessons, such as discipline, resilience, leadership, and accountability. My mission is to show student-athletes that the game transcends wins and losses; it’s about building character and becoming their best selves.

Setting high standards in all areas drives excellence. I coach with intensity and purpose, holding myself and my players accountable for their actions. Excellence is a habit we develop together—“Brick by Brick.”

I often see potential in my student-athletes before they see it in themselves. By investing in them as individuals, I challenge and support them. When they feel my commitment, they give their all, unlocking their true potential. As I believe, “A kid does not care what you know until they know that you care.”

Photos by student photographer Avid Cardona

Coach Grace Bravada

As the volleyball coach at Kenner Discovery, I am committed to fostering the development of my student-athletes by building strong relationships and understanding them as individuals both on and off the court. I strive to create a supportive environment where team members feel a sense of family, encouraging mutual growth and improvement in academics and athletics. This approach has established a foundation of trust and respect, allowing for honest communication and constructive feedback when necessary.

Photos by student photographers Peyton Brown, Valery Rosales, and Kennedy Seals

Athletics Raffle

The Athletics Raffle was kicked off on September 29th. Three lucky winners can win cash prizes of $5,000, $2,000, or $1,000. Tickets are just $10! All proceeds support Discovery Athletics and the PE department, helping to cover essential costs such as student transportation, uniforms, and other expenses.

Each student at KDHSA and DJOD has a goal to sell five (5) raffle tickets.
Once your student has sold five tickets, they will earn a full dress-down day on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
The last day to sell raffle tickets is October 16th at midnight.
Winners will be announced on October 17, 2025, at the Homecoming Game Halftime.

Back to School Night

We hosted six Back-to-School Nights across all the Discovery campuses. Each event was very well attended by parents. Thank you for being partners in education!

What's happening across Discovery Campuses

Maine campus started a new art club. The students are enjoying exploring their creative side!

Mrs. Fave's Pre-K students learned about the human body. They were able to label the parts and tell how the respiratory and digestive systems work.

The DJOD swim team had its first swim meet of the season this weekend, and it was a great success. We are proud of our first-time swimmers, as well as those returning from last year.

Discovery teachers who were recently acknowledged by their campus leadership team.

Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to our Swamp Owls! Follow each of our schools' Facebook pages to see our staff spotlights!

KDHSA Lower School

Cassandra Gore, Gene Petkovich, Shazia Wahaj, Bethany Calamusa, Crystal Chase, Leah Salone, and Haley Melancon

KDHSA Middle School

Angela Tillman and Joan Growl

KDHSA High School

Holley Johnson, Alan Gauthreaux, and Dominick Orlando

DJOD

Nick Smith and Ashleigh Oatis

BROD

Dana Sunseri and Destiny Blackson

DiscoveryFlex

Timothy McGary

Faces of the Hub

Meet the Dedicated Network Staff, aka "The Hub" Working Behind the Scenes!

Admissions

Mrs. Mott oversees admissions for Discovery's four schools. With applications for new students opening on October 1st, the team is committed to providing a smooth and welcoming experience for families considering Discovery Schools.

Ms. Everard, the registrar, works tirelessly to review every application to ensure it is completed and eligible for the admissions lottery. She also assists new families with completing their registration paperwork.

Together, the team communicates the unique offerings of each school and guides potential families through every step of the admissions process. Their commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse educational environment is evident in their efforts to connect with applicants and provide the necessary resources to enable informed decision-making.

Teaching & Learning

Mrs. Schott and Mrs. Lowe oversee teaching and learning at Discovery Schools. They play a key role in supporting both educators and students. They work closely with teachers and administrators to develop and implement engaging educational programs and curricula that support students' academic growth and success. They provide professional development opportunities for teachers, ensuring they have the necessary tools and training to succeed in the classroom. They conduct a deep dive into academic performance data to identify ways to improve and enhance student learning. Their mission is to foster a positive and supportive learning environment where everyone can grow and succeed together!

Admissions Window is Now Open

If you have a child who is a sibling of a current Discovery student and is planning to attend a Discovery School for the 2026-2027 school year, you will need to complete the online application.

Please visit the admissions webpage to access the application.

Join the PTO!

We invite all Swamp Owl families to join the PTO! We welcome your time and talents as the PTO plans a variety of activities for the upcoming school year.

KDHSA, DJOD, and FLEX families can join the PTO here.

BROD families can join the PTO here.