The Discovery Story
Discovery began the way many parent journeys begin: searching for a place that felt warm, thoughtful, and truly right.
By Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott and Mike Dlott
Just over the Cary border and convenient for RTP families
Rooted in constructivism and social constructivism
Searching for the Right School
In the fall of 2010, Mike Dlott and Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott were searching for a preschool for their two-year-old son, Joaquin. They visited schools across Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and Raleigh with one goal: find a program where he would be known, supported, and excited to learn each day. Although they were new parents, early childhood education had been a long-time passion for both of them, and they had a clear picture of the kind of learning environment they wanted Joaquin to experience as he began his educational journey.
Mike Dlott
Mike’s interest in early childhood education started early. As a high school sophomore, he took his first course in early education and interned in the on-site preschool. He loved every minute of it, writing lesson plans and working with children in small groups. That experience led to more years working as a preschool camp counselor, and he continued studying early education as an undergraduate through classes at the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School and the School of Education at Tufts University. One classmate in his early education policy course was his future wife, Dr. Alejandra. Mike later worked in education research at the American Institutes of Research in Washington, D.C., taught middle and high school, and returned to Duke University to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching.
- Tufts University
- MAT, Duke University
Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott
Dr. Alejandra’s passion for education also began at an early age. At Tufts, she earned a BA in Child Development and completed internships in a Head Start classroom and at the Eliot-Pearson preschool on campus. She went on to teach kindergarten and first grade through Teach For America, then pursued graduate study at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her PhD.
- BA, Tufts University
- Teach For America
- PhD, UC Berkeley
With their combined experience as educators and researchers, Mike and Dr. Alejandra had a shared vision for what a great preschool should feel like. They wanted a place Joaquin would be excited to attend each day, where learning was hands-on and meaningful, and where children built connections beyond their own classroom. They wanted him to develop not only the skills needed for kindergarten, but also the problem-solving and critical thinking that would serve him throughout his life. Just as important, they wanted a school that emphasized social and emotional development: learning how to interact with peers and teachers, resolve conflict, and grow in independence.
After visiting the final school on their list, Mike and Dr. Alejandra realized something surprising. The program they were dreaming about did not exist in the way they wanted it to. They decided the best way to create that experience for Joaquin, and for other families like theirs, was to build it.
They began exploring potential locations in Cary and Morrisville and ultimately found a space with the potential for two classrooms in the Grace Park Shopping Plaza. They loved that it was conveniently located between Cary and Morrisville and close to RTP. They also loved being part of a community with many different types of businesses nearby, offering real-world opportunities to extend children’s learning beyond the school walls.
From Two Classrooms to Today
The Early Years
- Discovery opened with two classrooms: a young preschool room and a mixed-age room for 3- to 5-year-olds.
- The curriculum was created on site, and families quickly embraced the project-based approach.
- From the start, the focus was on hiring and training great teachers, the foundation of the stability Discovery is known for today.
- In year two, Discovery added a third classroom and launched Discovery Tech, a STEM summer camp.
A Permanent Home and National Accreditation
- Growing waitlists led to a permanent home at 11000 Lake Grove Blvd.
- In winter 2014, Discovery moved into its current building: seven classrooms, two fenced playgrounds, an outdoor picnic area, and a garden, with the same family feel.
- That same year, Discovery earned national accreditation through AdvancED (now Cognia). The visiting team praised the curriculum, the dedication of the staff, and the warm atmosphere.
Growing With Our Families
- At families' request, Discovery added a school-day option for Preschool and Pre-K, plus Lunch Bunch, which extends the half day through lunch.
- In 2016, Mike launched the Preschool and Beyond podcast, sharing conversations with early childhood experts. It has ranked among the top 100 education podcasts.
- Discovery was named a top Raleigh preschool by Expertise in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022, earned praise in its 2019 re-accreditation, and added Kindergarten.
- In 2020, Discovery marked its tenth year, a milestone quieted by COVID-19, but one that represented hundreds of children and families.
Still Family-Run, Still Growing
- Discovery was named Best of Morrisville in 2025 and 2026.
- Mike wrote Morris Discovers School, a picture book about a little bird's first day, now a gift for every family who tours.
- Many of the teachers families meet today have been part of Discovery for a decade or more.
Teachers Who Stay
The founders' earliest priority was building a team of great teachers. More than fifteen years later, that's still what families notice first.
Be Part of Our Next Chapter
Come see the school that started with one family's search, and has grown into a community of hundreds.