Discovery Montessori Academy Guide 2026 - Montessori & IB PYP School in Discovery Bay

School Overview

Discovery Montessori Academy (DMA) is located at Block 1, Discovery Bay North in the Islands District, New Territories. As a private independent kindergarten offering non-local curriculum, DMA holds a unique distinction as Hong Kong's first and only school to integrate Montessori Elementary curriculum (ages 6-12) with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework, providing a continuous educational journey for children aged 1 to 12 years.

As a certified IB World School (No. 052385), DMA follows the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), adhering to the educational philosophy founded by Italian educator Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929. The school is committed to creating a multi-cultural, inquiry-based, child-centered learning environment.

Educational Philosophy & Curriculum Framework

The Montessori Approach

DMA's educational foundation is built upon Montessori philosophy, emphasizing helping each child develop naturally: fostering independence, internal motivation, self-discipline, creativity, self-esteem, a love of learning, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

The school employs an integrated curriculum design that interconnects mathematics, science, history, geography, and language through practical, sensory, and visual learning methods. Children actively explore knowledge in spacious, bright, and carefully prepared classroom environments.

Program Offerings

DMA provides comprehensive age-segmented programs:

Program	Age Range	Curriculum Features
Nursery	1-2.5 years	Early childhood development
Little Casa	2-3.5 years	Pre-kindergarten preparation
Casa dei Bambini	3-6 years	Bilingual Montessori kindergarten
IB Montessori Elementary	6-12 years	Montessori Elementary + IB PYP

As of 2026 data, the school serves 486 students in morning sessions and 248 in full-day programs, with teacher-student ratios of 1:6.4 (AM) and 1:2.8 (PM), ensuring individualized attention for every student.

Bilingual Learning Environment

True Bilingual Immersion

DMA offers a truly bilingual teaching environment, with native Putonghua teachers working alongside native-English Montessori directresses throughout the entire school day. This model enables children to naturally acquire both languages in authentic contexts, rather than through traditional language classroom instruction.

The school uses Traditional Chinese characters for literacy instruction and organizes students by Chinese proficiency level (native/non-native speakers) to ensure each child learns in a class suited to their language ability.

Campus Facilities & Location

Discovery Bay Campus

DMA's primary campus is located at Block 1, Discovery Bay North, providing children with a safe, peaceful learning environment away from the urban hustle. The school's classrooms are spacious, bright, and thoughtfully designed to create the perfect platform for child-centered learning.

In addition to Discovery Bay, DMA operates branches at Discovery Bay North Plaza and Central, accommodating families from different areas.

Faculty & Professional Accreditation

According to Education Bureau records, the school employs 5 staff members, including 3 degree-holding teachers. The school adheres to AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) certification standards, ensuring teachers possess professional Montessori teaching qualifications.

Principal and Supervisor Ms. Leung Sze Wing leads the school team, committed to maintaining high teaching standards and effective school management.

Special Educational Needs Support

DMA is participating in the On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services to provide professional support for students with special learning needs. The school also offers:

Learning Support Programs
Learning Extension & Gifted Programme
Extra-curricular Activities
Summer Camp programs

These complementary services ensure students with diverse abilities and needs receive appropriate educational resources at DMA.

Admission Information

As a private independent kindergarten, DMA does not participate in the Government's Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme. Specific fee information can be found in the Education Bureau's Fee Certificate.

Since the school employs non-local curriculum integrated with the IB PYP framework, its curriculum design differs significantly from local kindergartens, making it suitable for families seeking an international educational pathway.

2026 School Selection Considerations

Ideal Candidates

DMA is particularly suitable for families who:

Value Montessori educational philosophy: Embrace child-led learning and hands-on exploration approaches
Seek international education: Desire IB curriculum system exposure to prepare children for international schools
Prioritize bilingual proficiency: Want children to develop naturally in both English and Chinese environments
Plan long-term enrollment: Can commit to continuous education from early childhood through elementary (ages 1-12)

Secondary School Transition

After completing DMA's elementary program, students can transition to secondary divisions of local or international schools. Having experienced the IB PYP curriculum, students are better prepared to adapt to IB MYP (Middle Years Programme) and IB DP (Diploma Programme) requirements.

Contact Information

Address: Block 1, Discovery Bay North, Discovery Bay City, Lantau Island, New Territories
Phone: 2812 9668
Fax: 2812 9905
Website: https://montessori-ami.edu.hk
Email: primary@dms.edu.hk

References

Information current as of April 2026. Fees, curriculum, and admission arrangements are subject to change. Parents are advised to contact the school directly for the latest information.