Founders' History

The Discovery School of Virginia opened its doors to students on November 10, 1998. The founders and co-owners, Chris Yates, Allan Jacobson, and Don Williams, have been working with troubled youth and their families for over 25 years.  They share an genuine understanding of how the outdoor therapeutic group setting in tandem with individualized academic instruction facilitates positive change. Because of their extensive experience in counseling, group work and addiction recovery the founders are constantly involved in providing daily, hands-on leadership to the staff and students. Recruited by the founders from the begining to help develop and manage various aspects of the school are John Outland, Steve Welsh, Mark Mellusi and Steve Dufort, each bringing over 15 years of experience to the program's operation.  Matt Browning joined the program within the first year of operation and advanced quickly due to his skills, insight, maturity and commitment to the students.    

The opening of Discovery School of Virginia for Girls in June of 2007 is a result of the success of the boys program, the requests by referring agencies for the owners to open a girls school and the readiness of staff to expand their responsibilities.