The Discovery Center is a preschool and young 5'sprogram for 2.5 to 5 year olds that has been serving families in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area since 1974.
Our focus on quality is reflected in the fact that The Discovery Center was one of the first centers in the United States to be accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.
Each classroom of 24 students at The Discovery Center is staffed by a team of three professional teachers supported by assisting teachers, student teachers, and administrative staff.
The professional teachers have university degrees in child development, early childhood education, or related disciplines.
Their average tenure at The Discovery Center is more than ten years.
Program goals at The Discovery Center include the development of the following characteristics in each child: curiosity, independence, self-confidence, adaptability, creativity, trust, physical, social, and intellectual awareness, acceptance of others, self-control, cooperation, verbal ability, and skills appropriate to the child's developmental state.
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-Prekindergarten
- Enrollment: 155 students
- Average class size: 24 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-Prekindergarten
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Language delay, autism, mild learning differences,
Year Founded
1974
Summer School Offered
Yes
Last Day of School
Fri. Aug 1, 2025
Student Body
Total Students
155 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
39:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
24 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
School Notes
- The Discovery Center is an early childhood program for 2 to 5 year olds that has been serving families in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, area since 1974. With our highly-educated and experienced staff, our modern building designed specifically for our use, and our nurturing, flexible program, we believe the environment created here for young children is ideal. The Discovery Center has been an accredited program through the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1993. The Discovery Center provides an environment that encourages each child to approach optimum physical, social, emotional, aesthetic, and intellectual growth. Our programs are based on an open classroom approach with emphasis on a hands-on, experiential environment. The classroom environment encourages each child to explore "discovery centers" set up by the staff and to participate in a full range of activities occurring throughout the day. The program is also enhanced by outside specialists who provide Spanish, music, and story telling enrichment activities.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for The Discovery Center?
The application deadline for The Discovery Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is The Discovery Center located?
The Discovery Center is located in the Dicken neighborhood of Ann Arbor, MI.
School Reviews
5 5/17/2016
Both of my children attend TDC in Ann Arbor. It is a wonderful school, with lots if support and great teachers. I love the Rainbow Room (inside gym) for daily activity, as well as separate fenced in playgrounds for classrooms. The red Room in particular is very well structured, with the teachers sitting and eating with their students, and the children as young as 2.5 learn to pour milk etc., for themselves. They potty trained both of my children, and not many places will do that. They also have a nice way of introducing different cultures and foods by bringing in parents, and sharing books and holidays. The Yellow Room is "Developmental Kindergarden." In my honest opinion, it is wonderful, but for young fives. Every child in one of my child's class was a young five. The teachers were fun and engaging. My other child will be attending this fall, and is looking forward to it.
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