ADMISSIONS UPDATE: We have two spaces available for our 4’s classes for the 2026-2027 school year! We are also now scheduling tours for the fall of 2026 for placement in the 2027-2028 school year. Please contact nicki@newdiscoveryschool.org to be put on our list for those interested in touring and applying.
Wonder. Explore. Create.
Our philosophy is that children learn through play. We therefore place play at the center of our curriculum. We offer a variety of developmentally appropriate activities that engage and challenge each child. At New Discovery School (NDS), we empower children by teaching communication and conflict-resolution skills. We inspire a sense of wonder and playfulness and build a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
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A Child-Centered Approach
A place where kids can be kids! We meet children where they are, and that means letting them play. Play and love support the flourishing of children's cognitive, social/emotional, communication, and physical development.
A Warm Community
We start the day singing together as a school. Teachers work collaboratively with each other and families to support children's wellbeing. Parent education opportunities, park playdates, volunteer opportunities, and seasonal celebrations help us build the binding factors that make NDS feel like home.
Enriching Environments
The intentionally created indoor and outdoor spaces inspire active movement, cooperation, and joyful activity. Daily art, music, and storytelling ignite imagination and foster social skills.
Learning Through Joyful Discovery
We blend structured activities with imaginative free play, focusing on emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Established In 1985,
Serving Students Ages 3 - 5
74
Students Enrolled
11 Year
Average Tenure Of Staff
6:1
Student:Teacher Ratio
NDS is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation
Our History
Susan Tomlinson Gorman founded New Discovery School in 1985. Her goal was to create an environment where young children are encouraged to create, explore, make connections, and to know that they are honored and respected. She believed that by learning how things are connected through hands-on exploration, young children would have more meaningful and fulfilling learning experiences.
NDS grew from one class of ten children located in the South Lake Union neighborhood to six classes and a team of talented teachers and specialists working together in the Roosevelt neighborhood.
NDS continues to thrive under the direction of Bret Ellerton, former NDS teacher and music specialist.
As a community of children, parents, and teachers, NDS is committed to sharing a love of learning and collaboration, respecting every individual, showing compassion and empathy, and sharing in playfulness, joy, and kindness.
Hear From the NDS Community
NDS has been an incredible school for both of our children — meeting their very different needs with warmth, support, and love. The staff's tenure and experience are rare to find, and it shows. This school has built a genuine bond and profound sense of community between staff, parents, and kids.”
Dan Ross
“We've been so grateful for our kids' time at NDS, during which they were seen, nurtured, and supported. The teachers and staff are all warm and welcoming (even during the pandemic -- a mighty feat!), drawing our kids out with patience and caring (and face-painting!). Each of our kids received truly individual and individualized attention. Also, there is objectively no better way to start a day than Song Circle. By now, we're done having kids, but we joked for a while that we should have another, if only to send them to NDS.”
Nora & Jack
“The NDS staff is always warm, engaging and thoughtful, and I found the parent community at NDS to be refreshing. I also love that their schedule choices allow for a mix of both working families and at-home parents. I was able to have my kids at the same school as other family members even though we all had different care needs.”
Mollie Bullis
