Discovery Middle

Summary:

Discovery Middle is a public middle school located in Orlando, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 812 students. The school is part of the Orange County School District, which is ranked 31 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Discovery Middle consistently outperforms the Orange County and Florida state averages in various standardized test scores, including EOC/Algebra 1, EOC/Geometry, EOC/Civics, and Statewide Science/Science for 8th grade, with proficiency rates ranging from 79% to 100%. However, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 7.9% in 2019-2020 to 30.7% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average. Discovery Middle has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 31.4% White, 9.24% African American, 52.09% Hispanic, 3.69% Asian, and 3.33% two or more races, which is higher than some of the nearby schools like Liberty Middle and Roberto Clemente Middle.

Compared to nearby schools, Discovery Middle outperforms most in academic metrics, but some schools, such as Avalon Middle and Timber Springs Middle, also demonstrate strong academic performance. Discovery Middle's spending per student has increased from $8,983 in 2019-2020 to $10,482 in 2022-2023, which is higher than some nearby schools but lower than others, like Union Park Middle. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 40.15% to 52.59% over the past few years, which is higher than some nearby schools but lower than others.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 601 Woodbury Rd
       Orlando, FL  32828


(407) 384-1555

District: Orange

SchoolDigger Rank:
376th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,482 Help


Students who attend Discovery Middle usually attend:

High:    Timber Creek High

Feeder schools for Discovery Middle:

Elementary:    Sunrise Elementary
    Waterford Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  19.8 Help
Number of students:  812

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
52.1%
White:
31.4%
African American:
9.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  52.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Discovery Middle ranks better than 68.6% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 13th among 42 ranked middle schools in the Orange School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.97. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (52.1%), White (31.4%), African American (9.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 52.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Discovery Middle is 19.8, which is the 17th best among 42 middle schools in the Orange School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Discovery Middle employs 41 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Discovery Middle is $10,482, which is the 10th highest among 42 middle schools in the Orange School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Discovery Middle was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Discovery Middle 376th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Discovery Middle in the ranking list.)

Orange:

SchoolDigger ranks Orange 31st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Discovery Middle?

Rank History for Discovery Middle

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 78.18 110th 593 81.5%
2005 81.57 90th 602 85.0%
2006 85.44 78th 675 88.4%
2007 87.38 64th 736 91.3%
2008 85.91 79th 740 89.3%
2009 87.15 73rd 780 90.6%
2010 87.14 73rd 839 91.3%
2011 82.53 131st 891 85.3%
2012 85.36 102nd 897 88.6%
2013 86.64 92nd 956 90.4%
2014 79.60 177th 999 82.3%
2016 75.04 232nd 997 76.7%
2017 74.04 252nd 1031 75.6%
2018 65.73 332nd 1035 67.9%
2019 67.99 325th 1099 70.4%
2021 66.67 341st 1136 70.0%
2022 64.92 359th 1148 68.7%
2023 66.78 362nd 1177 69.2%
2024 65.97 376th 1196 68.6%
See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Discovery Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Open Quote I went to dms and as a former explorer it is a great school with a safe learning environment. I learned a lot from the kind and helpful teachers and had a blast while there. this is an amazing school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Discovery Middle

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 1563 121 84 416 7 n/a n/a 0 2191
1999 799 127 31 319 3 n/a n/a 0 1279
2000 941 151 43 416 7 n/a n/a 0 1558
2001 1011 170 51 492 8 n/a n/a 0 1732
2002 967 174 63 523 4 n/a n/a 0 1731
2003 967 174 63 523 4 n/a n/a 0 1731
2004 978 200 82 560 4 n/a n/a 0 1824
2005 1041 252 89 680 3 n/a n/a 0 2065
2006 963 176 90 431 5 n/a n/a 0 1665
2007 567 100 54 287 5 n/a n/a 16 1029
2008 543 90 62 275 2 n/a n/a 13 985
2009 523 101 61 287 3 n/a n/a 23 998
2010 509 97 48 262 1 n/a n/a 22 939
2011 457 130 41 292 4 1 35 0 960
2012 435 108 36 275 2 2 32 0 890
2013 419 109 36 262 1 2 32 0 861
2014 428 176 41 273 1 1 34 0 954
2015 412 130 45 287 2 0 31 0 907
2016 396 88 51 316 3 1 31 0 886
2017 416 97 55 338 1 2 25 0 934
2018 394 85 54 378 1 4 25 0 941
2019 361 82 48 385 0 2 23 0 901
2020 312 77 42 417 0 3 24 0 875
2021 266 75 31 380 0 2 30 0 784
2022 243 76 39 401 0 2 31 0 792
2023 255 75 30 423 0 2 27 0 812

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Discovery Middle

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 2191 102.0 21.5 18.4
1999 1279 63.0 20.3 27.2
2000 1558 74.0 21.1 29.6
2001 1732 88.0 19.7 29.7
2002 1731 86.0 20.1 27
2003 1731 86.0 20.1 27
2004 1824 90.0 20.3 26.8
2005 2065 107.0 19.3 31.1
2006 1665 103.0 16.2 23.7
2007 1029 64.0 16.1 25.3
2008 985 62.0 15.9 23.4
2009 998 61.4 16.6 24.2
2010 939 55.0 17.0 29.2
2011 960 56.0 17.1 36.1
2012 890 55.0 16.1 30.9
2013 861 52.0 16.5 42.7
2014 954 52.0 18.3 42.9
2015 907 56.0 16.1 41.6
2016 886 52.0 17.0 43.1
2017 934 51.0 18.3 42.4
2018 941 54.0 17.4 40.7
2019 901 49.0 18.3 44.4
2020 875 47.0 18.6 49
2021 784 45.0 17.4 49
2022 792 45.0 17.6 40.2
2023 812 41.0 19.8 52.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Discovery Middle

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 2191 102.0 21.5 18.4
1999 1279 63.0 20.3 27.2
2000 1558 74.0 21.1 29.6
2001 1732 88.0 19.7 29.7
2002 1731 86.0 20.1 27
2003 1731 86.0 20.1 27
2004 1824 90.0 20.3 26.8
2005 2065 107.0 19.3 31.1
2006 1665 103.0 16.2 23.7
2007 1029 64.0 16.1 25.3
2008 985 62.0 15.9 23.4
2009 998 61.4 16.6 24.2
2010 939 55.0 17.0 29.2
2011 960 56.0 17.1 36.1
2012 890 55.0 16.1 30.9
2013 861 52.0 16.5 42.7
2014 954 52.0 18.3 42.9
2015 907 56.0 16.1 41.6
2016 886 52.0 17.0 43.1
2017 934 51.0 18.3 42.4
2018 941 54.0 17.4 40.7
2019 901 49.0 18.3 44.4
2020 875 47.0 18.6 49
2021 784 45.0 17.4 49
2022 792 45.0 17.6 40.2
2023 812 41.0 19.8 52.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Discovery Middle

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $211 (2.5%) $8,083 (97.5%) $8,294
2019 $266 (2.9%) $8,971 (97.1%) $9,238
2020 $377 (4.2%) $8,606 (95.8%) $8,983
2021 $904 (9.4%) $8,758 (90.6%) $9,662
2022 $1,456 (14.4%) $8,662 (85.6%) $10,117
2023 $1,660 (15.8%) $8,823 (84.2%) $10,482

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Discovery Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 325th of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 362nd of 1177 Middle schools
 1.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery Middle)5755
 2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Orange)5252
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5452
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Middle)4759
 12%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Orange)4347
 4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5549
 6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery Middle)6148
 13%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Orange)4846
 2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5248
 4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Middle)6363
   7th Grade Mathematics (Orange)4950
 1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery Middle)7054
 16%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Orange)5447
 7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5649
 7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Middle)4744
 3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Orange)3638
 2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)4642
 4%
8th Grade Science (Discovery Middle)7263
 9%
   8th Grade Science (Orange)4950
 1%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Discovery Middle)8178
 3%
   End of Course Civics (Orange)6661
 5%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7166
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Discovery Middle)9090
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Orange)6351
 12%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%
End of Course Geometry (Discovery Middle)9998
 1%
   End of Course Geometry (Orange)5344
 9%
   End of Course Geometry (Florida)5750
 7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students901812
 9.9%
African American8275
 8.5%
American Indian00
Asian4830
 37.5%
Hispanic385423
 9.9%
Pacific Islander22
White361255
 29.4%
Two or More Races2327
 17.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients44.4%52.6%
 8.2%


Schools Near Discovery Middle









Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Middle

Students who attend Discovery Middle usually go on to attend Timber Creek High

In the 2022-23 school year, 812 students attended Discovery Middle.

Students at Discovery Middle are 52% Hispanic, 31% White, 9% African American, 4% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

Discovery Middle ranks 376th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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