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Project Play

Project PlayProject PlayProject Play
  • Home
  • Visit
  • About
  • Parties
  • School
  • Camps
  • Membership
  • Events
  • Field Trips
  • FAQ
  • Employment
  • Contact
  • Blog

Project Play Discovery School

Play based

Nature Inspired

Academically Focused 


Our Mission


 At Discovery School we provide a nurturing environment where children explore and learn through play. We believe in fostering a love for learning by blending academic rigor with the wonders of the natural world. Our commitment is to cultivate curious minds, compassionate hearts, and confident spirits, preparing our young learners for a lifetime of discovery and success. 



What makes us different?

Here at Discovery School we believe children learn best through play, this is why we sought out to create the first Play with a Purpose program in the heart of the DFW Mid Cities. Our curriculum focuses on hands on learning, STEM education, healthy habits, art, a love of nature and good citizenship. Your child will grow and will be loved here! 


Why Discovery School?

1. Small school environment

2. Play based (2-4 years old) Project based (5-7 years old)

3. Science daily

4. Half and Full Day Options

5. Certified and trained professionals 

6. Screen FREE facility 

7. A focus on healthy living 

8. Diverse staff 

9. Outdoor Play- two times a day 

10. Kindness, empathy, and love are at the heart of everything we do


Discovery School in action

2025-2026 Enrollment Information

Please note, like most private schools, our enrollment process is not first-come, first-served. 

Instead, we follow a structured process that includes: 

  •  Submission of an application 
  •  A family interview
  • Acceptance into our program 

Tiny Tykes: Age 2 

Must turn 2 by August 1st 

FULL for the 2025-2026 school year 


Tuesday & Thursday

8:30 AM- 12:30PM Half Day

8:30AM- 3:00PM Full Day


Curriculum Focus:  Supporting your two's "can do" attitude" through language development, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social and emotional development and healthy habits 


*Two's do not need to be potty trained



Sprouts: Age 3 

Tuesday & Thursday

8:30 AM- 3:00 PM 

FULL for the 2025-2026 school year 


Curriculum Focus: Pre- Reading, Nature, STEM, Art, Music, Math, Good Citizenship 


*Sprouts need to be actively potty training or potty trained

Explorers: Age 4 

2 Day Option: Tuesday & Thursday

3 Day Option: Tuesday - Thursday 

8:30 AM- 3:00 PM 

FULL for the 2025-2026 school year 


Curriculum Focus: Kindergarten Readiness, Nature, STEM, Art, Pre- Reading, Music, Math, Good Citizenship 



Hybrid Kindergarten: Ages 5-6 

 Five by September

FULL for the 2025-2026 school year 


Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

8:30 AM- 3:00 PM


Our Kindergarten program is for families who are looking for a hybrid school model. Our program consists of three days in school, two days at home for the perfect blend of  homeschool education. Homeschooling can be daunting but our program takes the weight off you, the p

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Hybrid First Grade: Ages 6-7

Coming 2026-2027

 Six by September


Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

8:30 AM- 3:00 PM


Discovery School’s new First Grade Hybrid Program combines the best of structured academic learning with the flexibility of hands-on, play-based experiences. Our three-day-a-week schedule allows students to gain essential first-grade skills in a dynamic, small-group setting while providing fam

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Pricing

2025-2026 Tuition Rates 


Tiny Tykes Half Day

 8:30-12:30PM


  • Tuesday & Thursday
  • Tuition: $275 per month 
  • Registration Fee: $150 per child
  • Supply Fee: $150 per child, per semester July & January
  • School Polo $25



Tiny Tykes Full Day, Sprouts, Explorers 

Two days

 8:30-3:00PM


  • Tuesday & Thursday
  • Tuition: $375 per month
  • Registration Fee: $150 per child
  • Supply Fee: $150 per child, per semester July & January
  • School Polo $25


Explorers

Three Days

8:30-3:00PM


  • Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
  • Tuition: $475 per month 
  • Registration Fee: $150 per child, per year
  • Supply Fee: $150 per child, per semester July & January
  • School Polo $25


Kindergarten & First Grade

Three Days

8:30-3:00PM


  • Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, plus at home work
  • Optional Quarterly Field Trips 
  • Tuition: $525 per month 
  • Registration Fee: $150 per child, per year
  • Supply Fee: $175 per child, per semester July & January
  • School Polo $25


Join the Waitlist

Apply Today

Discovery SChool Perks

  • Free Admission to Project Play
  • 20% of events
  • 15% of camps
  • 10% off parties 

 


Our Teachers

 All staff have childcare experience or degrees in early childhood/ elementary education.

Alera Owens: Director

Margaret Taylor: Explorers

Lynda Bishop: Kindergarten

Alera is the founder and owner of Project Play, she has her BA in elementary education from Baylor University and is a certified Gifted and Talented and ESL teacher. After college Alera went on to teach as an elementary educator in both the public and private school settings. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2015 and was awarded numer

Alera is the founder and owner of Project Play, she has her BA in elementary education from Baylor University and is a certified Gifted and Talented and ESL teacher. After college Alera went on to teach as an elementary educator in both the public and private school settings. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2015 and was awarded numerous education awards throughout her eight years in the classroom. Alera is thrilled to be leading our Discovery School team once again this year and cannot wait to welcome all our new families.

Lynda Bishop: Kindergarten

Margaret Taylor: Explorers

Lynda Bishop: Kindergarten

 Lynda has had the blessing of spending 34 years in education, teaching kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade and spending the last 12 years as a school librarian. After graduating from The University of Houston at Clear Lake City with a BS degree in elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement, Lynda taught in Baytown (Goose Cree

 Lynda has had the blessing of spending 34 years in education, teaching kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade and spending the last 12 years as a school librarian. After graduating from The University of Houston at Clear Lake City with a BS degree in elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement, Lynda taught in Baytown (Goose Creek Consolidated ISD), and Georgetown ISD. Lynda was named Teacher of the Year in 2004 and has continued her mission by being a director of a summer reading program. While she has said goodbye to public school her most favorite job of all is being Grammy to 2 boys, ages 3 and 1. Lynda is so thrilled to be teaching Kindergarten this year at Project Play!

Margaret Taylor: Explorers

Margaret Taylor: Explorers

Margaret Taylor: Explorers

 Margaret Taylor is originally from Keller, Texas. She earned a BA in Anthropology from Southwestern University in 2017. Margaret then went on to work for the Williamson Museum in Georgetown, Texas as their museum curator. Margaret is passionate about child development, museum studies, interactive play, and individualized and accessible l

 Margaret Taylor is originally from Keller, Texas. She earned a BA in Anthropology from Southwestern University in 2017. Margaret then went on to work for the Williamson Museum in Georgetown, Texas as their museum curator. Margaret is passionate about child development, museum studies, interactive play, and individualized and accessible learning. She is a mother to two toddlers- Mae and Franklin. Margaret is thrilled to combine her personal and professional passions as a Discovery Teacher again this year!  This will be Mrs. Taylor's third school season with us. 

Isabel Shrouder: Sprouts

Isabel Shrouder: Sprouts

Margaret Taylor: Explorers

 Isabel Shrouder is originally from the DFW area, she has a B.S in Child Development and will be pursuing her Master's at TWU this Fall. With a passion for nurturing young minds and a wealth of real-world experience, she is committed to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for all students. Isabel has worked with childre

 Isabel Shrouder is originally from the DFW area, she has a B.S in Child Development and will be pursuing her Master's at TWU this Fall. With a passion for nurturing young minds and a wealth of real-world experience, she is committed to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for all students. Isabel has worked with children as a psychiatric nursing professional for over 10 years. She strives to provide a safe and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. As a parent of two toddlers she will bring a unique understanding and empathy to the classroom with an unwavering commitment to nurturing and developing young minds.  

Deshea Garcia: Sprouts

Isabel Shrouder: Sprouts

Deshea Garcia: Sprouts

 Deshea brings a wealth of experience to her role as a preschool teacher. As a mom of two, she understands the importance of creating a warm, supportive environment where children can thrive. Her passion for early childhood education blossomed during her time as a daycare teacher, where she loved fostering young children's growth and curi

 Deshea brings a wealth of experience to her role as a preschool teacher. As a mom of two, she understands the importance of creating a warm, supportive environment where children can thrive. Her passion for early childhood education blossomed during her time as a daycare teacher, where she loved fostering young children's growth and curiosity. In addition to her teaching role, she now runs a thriving catering business with her husband, blending her love for nurturing with her passion for creativity. Deshea's passions include fitness and movement, baking  and traveling! 

Amanda Camp: Tiny Tykes

Isabel Shrouder: Sprouts

Deshea Garcia: Sprouts

Amanda is an enthusiastic and dedicated preschool teacher with a passion for nurturing young minds. With years of experience in early childhood education, she creates an energetic and creative learning environment where children feel safe and inspired to explore. Amanda has worked as a lead teacher, assistant teacher and Music Director at

Amanda is an enthusiastic and dedicated preschool teacher with a passion for nurturing young minds. With years of experience in early childhood education, she creates an energetic and creative learning environment where children feel safe and inspired to explore. Amanda has worked as a lead teacher, assistant teacher and Music Director at a local preschool. Known for her caring approach, Amanda believes in the importance of building strong relationships with her students to foster their social and emotional growth. With a natural gift for connecting with children and a commitment to their development, Amanda Camp continues to make a lasting impact in the world of early childhood education. 

Bella Runne: Tiny Tykes

Kylie Echols: Assistant

Kylie Echols: Assistant

Bella is an energetic and loving educator with an Associate of Arts in Teaching and is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. With over seven years of experience, Bella is passionate about fostering young minds. She currently serves as the Lead Teacher of River Trails Elementary After-School program. A fun fact about Bella i

Bella is an energetic and loving educator with an Associate of Arts in Teaching and is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. With over seven years of experience, Bella is passionate about fostering young minds. She currently serves as the Lead Teacher of River Trails Elementary After-School program. A fun fact about Bella is that she just completed an internship at Walt Disney World, where she gained valuable experience working with  individuals from across the globe. Bella is thrilled to be co- teaching the Tiny Tykes program this year.

Kylie Echols: Assistant

Kylie Echols: Assistant

Kylie Echols: Assistant

 Kylie has been a dedicated member of the Project Play team for several years, making her one of our longest-serving employees. She is deeply committed to creating a nurturing and engaging environment for young children. With aspirations to further her education in child development she brings a sense of joy, patience, and care to our sch

 Kylie has been a dedicated member of the Project Play team for several years, making her one of our longest-serving employees. She is deeply committed to creating a nurturing and engaging environment for young children. With aspirations to further her education in child development she brings a sense of joy, patience, and care to our school. Her dedication to early childhood education and her warm, supportive approach make her an invaluable part of our team. 

Support Staff

Cara Rice of Joyful Noise Speech Therapy

Lauren Jack of Joyful Noise Speech Therapy

Lauren Jack of Joyful Noise Speech Therapy

 Cara Rice, M.S., CCC-SLP

Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist

Cara is passionate about working with the pediatric population and strives to provide individualized care through evidence-based, child-led, and play-based therapy. Cara will be onsite on Thursday's for our Discovery School students who could benefit from speech therapy service

 Cara Rice, M.S., CCC-SLP

Owner and Speech-Language Pathologist

Cara is passionate about working with the pediatric population and strives to provide individualized care through evidence-based, child-led, and play-based therapy. Cara will be onsite on Thursday's for our Discovery School students who could benefit from speech therapy services. 


https://www.joyfulnoisetherapy.com/


SPECIALTIES:

  • Specializes in treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Recognized SLP by Apraxia-Kids
  • Training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC)
  • Principles of Motor Learning
  • Articulation 
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive, Expressive, and Pragmatic Language
  • Pre-reading skills
  • Late Talkers and Early Intervention
  • Autism and Gestalt Language Processing

Lauren Jack of Joyful Noise Speech Therapy

Lauren Jack of Joyful Noise Speech Therapy

Lauren Jack of Joyful Noise Speech Therapy

 Lauren Jack, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lauren is an advocate for play as the best avenue for learning and enjoys using her skills to help children be effective communicators. Lauren will be onsite on Thursday's for our Discovery School students who could benefit from speech therapy services. 


https://www.joyfulnoisetherapy.c

 Lauren Jack, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lauren is an advocate for play as the best avenue for learning and enjoys using her skills to help children be effective communicators. Lauren will be onsite on Thursday's for our Discovery School students who could benefit from speech therapy services. 


https://www.joyfulnoisetherapy.com/


SPECIALTIES:

  • Specializes in stuttering
  • Executive Function in the Early Years
  • Articulation 
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive, Expressive, and Pragmatic Language
  • Late Talkers and Early Intervention
  • Autism and Gestalt Language Processing
  • Classroom Collaboration and Parent Education

Kyra Zuelch: Texas Woman's University Intern

Kyra Zuelch: Texas Woman's University Intern

Kyra Zuelch: Texas Woman's University Intern

Kyra is a senior at Texas Woman's University in the honors scholar program. This spring she will be graduating with a B.S. in child development with an emphasis in child life and a minor in early childhood intervention. This semester, she be working alongside Project Play to continue my education in a practicum format! She has previous ex

Kyra is a senior at Texas Woman's University in the honors scholar program. This spring she will be graduating with a B.S. in child development with an emphasis in child life and a minor in early childhood intervention. This semester, she be working alongside Project Play to continue my education in a practicum format! She has previous experience working as a summer camp counselor and pre-k teacher's aide. Currently, she works as a children's literacy tutor and enjoy serving as a playroom volunteer at a local children's hospital. She is passionate about fostering children's developmental milestones, instituting healthy coping strategies from a young age, and learning through play. Kyra is looking forward to learning and growing with the Project Play community this semester!  

Nikki Durtschi: Substitute

Kyra Zuelch: Texas Woman's University Intern

Kyra Zuelch: Texas Woman's University Intern

Nikki is no stranger to the early childhood teaching world. She has a B.A in elementary education and has taught pre-K for 18 years in both the public and private school settings. She has a  passion for working with children in hands on and creative ways and is looking forward to being a part of our Project Play camp and substitute staff. 

Communication System

Important Documents

2025-2026 Parent Handbook (pdf)Download
Discovery School Flyer 24-25 (pdf)Download
2025-2026 Enrollment Fees (pdf)Download

Discovery School Parent Reviews

do you Have additional questions about our Discovery School?

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