The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center's independent school board also announced the hiring of a Pedagogista, or principal, for the school. Ms. Susan J. Lukaart, principal of Wyoming's Oriole Park Elementary School, was hired following a national search. It is scheduled to open this fall with an expected enrollment of 75 students, and could eventually grow to as many as 300 students. The curriculum design and teaching methods are inspired by the Reggio Emilia teaching approach, which has drawn worldwide attention for more than a decade as the most authoritative, effective and proven approach to early childhood education. The approach was inspired by the municipal early learning centers in the city of Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Teaching is based on what the children have found interesting, stimulating, puzzling or challenging.
Reading, investigating, writing and the practical use of arithmetic are critical parts of the child's daily experience. Using this approach, a child's learning is connected to everyday experiences. The four core academic areas of language arts, social studies, mathematics and science all receive emphasis. An art studio will allow students to express themselves in many forms. The curriculum meets the performance standards developed by the Michigan Department of Education.