Frequently asked questions

Discovery School is a Montessori preschool for children ages 3 to 5. Our classes are mixed-age, with 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds learning together in the same room — that’s a Montessori thing.

No — we don’t offer full-day care. We have two 2½-hour classes each day: a morning session (8:45–11:15) and an afternoon session (12:45–3:15). Families choose one.

Discovery School is training tomorrow’s leaders. Montessori children are excellent problem-solvers who observe carefully, concentrate effectively, and exchange ideas freely. In this way, Discovery School strives to build the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Yes. We’re a non-profit, licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and funded through tuition. A board of parents helps guide the school, while our director runs the day to day.

No. Discovery School made its home in First Congregational Church through arrangements that Barbara Thiele, a church member and one of the school’s founders, made in 1975. The church, which is centrally located in Topeka, continues to generously provide affordable space to the school.

A tour is welcome but not required — reach out any time. To enroll, families complete the Discovery School enrollment form and a one-time, non-refundable $80 enrollment fee. Enrollment for the next school year opens March 1; if a class is full, we keep a list and can sometimes offer a January start when a space opens.

Visitors are always welcome. Please call ahead to make an appointment so we can set up a good time for you to see the classrooms. Visits to observe your child are encouraged.

We’re on the second floor of First Congregational Church at 1701 SW Collins Avenue. Park in the church lot off Collins; the church has a security system, so ring our doorbell at the school entrance and we’ll let you in.