At a glance
Reported students
898
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
56.61
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Minnesota middle enrollment
84th percentile
Compared with 331 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
410
Discovery Middle School: 898 reported students.
State peer staffing position
47th percentile
15.9:1 reported; state peer median 16.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 972
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59.5
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.3:1
What the reported data says about Discovery Middle School
Discovery Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Alexandria. It is one of 11 current school records connected to Alexandria Public School District. NCES reports 898 students for 2024–25.
Among 331 middle schools in Minnesota with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 418 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 84th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.9:1, close to the Minnesota median of 16.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (87%) and Hispanic or Latino (5.8%). English learners represent 0.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 15.7%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Discovery Middle School
- 1How do the reported 15.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 56.61 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 15.7%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 28.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White87%
- Hispanic5.8%
- Black1%
- Asian1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Alexandria Public School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Discovery Launch
Middle · Grades 06–08
Enrollment not reported
Alexandria Area High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,315 reported students
Lincoln Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
481 reported students
Voyager Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
446 reported students
Woodland Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
410 reported students
Miltona Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
126 reported students
Public schools near Discovery Middle School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voyager Elementary Elementary · Alexandria Public School District | PK–05 | 446 | 1.3 mi |
| Woodland Elementary School Elementary · Alexandria Public School District | KG–05 | 410 | 1.4 mi |
| Early Education Center Other · Alexandria Public School District | PK–PK | 114 | 1.4 mi |
| Lakes Country Academy - ALEX Elementary · Region 4-Lakes Country Service Coop | KG–06 | 7 | 1.9 mi |
| Lincoln Elementary Elementary · Alexandria Public School District | KG–05 | 481 | 2.1 mi |
| Kalon Prep Academy High · Charter · Kalon Prep Academy | 09–12 | 141 | 2.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Discovery Middle School
What grades does Discovery Middle School serve?
Discovery Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Alexandria Public School District.
How many students attend Discovery Middle School?
Discovery Middle School reported 898 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 84th percentile among 331 Minnesota middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 972 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 15.9:1, based on 898 students and 56.61 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Minnesota median for the same school level is 16.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Discovery Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Discovery Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Alexandria Public School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Discovery Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
28.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Discovery Middle School in?
Discovery Middle School is part of Alexandria Public School District, based in Alexandria, MN, which operates 11 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Discovery Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Voyager Elementary (1.3 mi), Woodland Elementary School (1.4 mi), Early Education Center (1.4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.