Discovery Charter Ii, San Jose CA

Original Research by School Decision on Discovery Charter Ii

Discovery Charter II, located in south San Jose, is a kindergarten through eighth-grade charter school serving a community of mixed socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The school enrolls a small-to-mid-sized student population, with a composition that reflects San Jose's diversity: students identify as white, Asian, Hispanic, multiracial, Black, and other groups, in roughly balanced proportions. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, pointing to an enrollment that is not concentrated in high-poverty areas, though some economic variation exists within the student body.

The school's recent five-year charter renewal through an extended timeline provides stability for families. The renewal was approved by the Santa Clara County Office of Education with a condition that the school formalize an updated memorandum of understanding with its authorizer to address staff concerns and align with current law, a procedural step that does not block operation but signals the need for closer collaboration on governance matters.

In state testing, Discovery Charter II's results reflect typical proficiency levels for a school serving this demographic in this region. In English language arts across all tested grades, students achieved proficiency at a moderate rate, with fifth grade performing at a slightly higher level than others. Math results were similar, hovering in the mid-range across third through eighth grade, with fifth grade again showing relative strength. Science proficiency, tested in grades five and eight, showed a notable difference between the two grades: fifth graders performed at a respectable level, while eighth graders' results were measurably lower. A parent may want to look into whether the school has identified factors behind this pattern and what supports or curriculum adjustments are in place for upper middle school science.

Across tested subjects and grades combined, the school's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among the county's other tested schools, though well short of the highest performers. This positioning suggests the school is delivering age-appropriate instruction in core subjects at a pace and depth that resonates with many students, without standout or distinctive academic outcomes relative to other schools in Santa Clara County.

The school offers a traditional elementary and middle school pathway with no alternative or specialized programs noted in the available data. No information was available about special education services, English learner support, or staffing ratios, so a parent seeking details on those supports should inquire directly with the school.

South San Jose, where the school is located, sits within a housing market characterized by substantial home values and moderate rents, reflecting the region's overall economic position. The area is part of a city that has grown as a suburban and increasingly urban center, with sprawling residential neighborhoods and a downtown experiencing sustained redevelopment. Families choosing this school are likely drawn by its charter status, K-8 continuity, neighborhood location, and stable enrollment rather than by distinctive academic programming or performance.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 366%

School 66% · district not reported

▲ 23 pts above state median · ▲ 9 pts above county median

Grade 454%

School 54% · district not reported

▲ 16 pts above state median · even with county median

Grade 558%

School 58% · district not reported

▲ 28 pts above state median · ▲ 11 pts above county median

Grade 654%

School 54% · district not reported

▲ 24 pts above state median · ▲ 9 pts above county median

Grade 752%

School 52% · district not reported

▲ 22 pts above state median · ▲ 7 pts above county median

Grade 853%

School 53% · district not reported

▲ 25 pts above state median · ▲ 14 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 352%

School 52% · district not reported

▲ 11 pts above state median · ▼ 1 pts below county median

Grade 454%

School 54% · district not reported

▲ 11 pts above state median · ▼ 2 pts below county median

Grade 560%

School 60% · district not reported

▲ 14 pts above state median · ▲ 2 pts above county median

Grade 654%

School 54% · district not reported

▲ 11 pts above state median · ▼ 4 pts below county median

Grade 757%

School 57% · district not reported

▲ 11 pts above state median · even with county median

Grade 853%

School 53% · district not reported

▲ 9 pts above state median · ▼ 1 pts below county median

Science

Grade 556%

School 56% · district not reported

▲ 28 pts above state median · ▲ 13 pts above county median

Grade 844%

School 44% · district not reported

▲ 18 pts above state median · ▲ 8 pts above county median

This schoolDistrict average, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 5Lower-income46%Higher-income63%18 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 5Lower-income27%Higher-income65%38 pp gap