- Enrollment
- 1,723
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Newport News, VA
Discovery Stem Academy
Federal NCES profile for Discovery Stem Academy, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 39/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 510264001062
👥 S:T ratio 39
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 16
📋 Attendance 29
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Discovery Stem Academy earns 39/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 71% of Virginia schools.
- #14 of 27
- schools in Newport News · Resource Index
- 39
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.2:1
- large classes for Virginia
- 90.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Discovery Stem Academy has class sizes larger than 71% of Virginia schools. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Discovery Stem Academy ranks #14 of 27 schools in Newport News, VA.
School address
District: Newport News City Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510264001062 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+7 students YoY
Discovery Stem Academy held near 550 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+7 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 37.5 → 32.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+7 students YoY 510264001062 · Newport News, VA Other · MID · TRAD
561 enr · 15.2:1 · 90.6% lunch · RII 39
Nearest enrollment peer: Woodside High (1,723 students)
Discovery Stem Academy held near 550 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+7 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 37.5 → 32.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
Discovery Stem Academy in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Woodside High
Woodside High
1,723 students
- Menchville Hig
Menchville High
1,707 students
- Warwick High
Warwick High
1,622 students
- Denbigh High
Denbigh High
1,269 students
- Heritage High
Heritage High
1,106 students
- This school 561
Discovery Stem Academy
561 students
What this shows Discovery Stem Academy reports 561 students on the CCD universe file.
How Discovery Stem Academy compares
Discovery Stem Academy held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.2:1 | ▲ 9% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 90.6% | ▲ 57% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 561 | top 49% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.2:1
Leaner classes than 45% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
561
Bigger than 69% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
90.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 57% above the Virginia average of 57.6%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.2:1
students per teacher
- 9% above state mean
Top 71% in Virginia - lower ratio than 29% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
28.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$16,082
per pupil, district-wide
- above Virginia avg of $15,892
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.3 FTE
Per 422 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
3
in-school suspensions + 48 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 9.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 81.5%
Hispanic or Latino 9.3%
Two or More 6.6%
White 2.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: African American at 81.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 32.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 32.2, Discovery Stem Academy is less mixed than the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Newport News City Public Schools reports $16,082 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Discovery Stem Academy Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Menchville High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Warwick High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Denbigh High | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Heritage High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Discovery Stem Academy's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,707
- Students per teacher
- 16.6:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 1,622
- Students per teacher
- 14.5:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 1,269
- Students per teacher
- 13.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 1,106
- Students per teacher
- 14:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar other schools in Newport News
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Joseph H. Saunders Elementary
Standard public school
660 students 17.4:1 students per teacher
Achievable Dream Academy
Standard public school
641 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
Carver Elementary
Standard public school
634 students 18.6:1 students per teacher
Kiln Creek Elementary
Standard public school
553 students 14.9:1 students per teacher
Katherine Johnson Elementary
Standard public school
553 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary
Standard public school
549 students 17.2:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~561 students)
Frequently asked questions about Discovery Stem Academy
How many students attend Discovery Stem Academy?
Discovery Stem Academy has 561 students enrolled. It is a public school in Newport News, VA. CCD year-over-year: 543 (2022-23) → 550 (2023-24), nearly flat (+7).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Stem Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Stem Academy is 15.2:1, which is 9% higher than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 3% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Discovery Stem Academy?
90.6% of students at Discovery Stem Academy are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Discovery Stem Academy?
The largest demographic group at Discovery Stem Academy is African American at 81.5% of enrollment, in Newport News, VA.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Discovery Stem Academy?
Discovery Stem Academy has a Resource Investment Index of 39/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Discovery Stem Academy rank among schools in Newport News?
By Resource Investment Index, Discovery Stem Academy ranks #14 of 27 schools in Newport News, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Newport News on the city page.
What other schools are in Newport News City Public Schools?
Besides Discovery Stem Academy, Newport News City Public Schools also operates Woodside High (1,723 students), Menchville High (1,707 students), and Warwick High (1,622 students). See the Newport News City Public Schools district page for the complete list.