JESSE WATSON, PH.D.

Director of Recruitment and Community Engagement

Dr. Jesse Watson works as Director of Recruitment and Community Engagement at Discovery Schools. Discovery Schools began serving families of Jefferson Parish in 2013. Originally an idea held by a small group of Jefferson Parish residents to reform public education has since grown into a successful and high demand charter school network. Founded in 2013, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy opened its doors to 420 students in grades Pre-K-3rd, 5th and 6th grade. Each year, Kenner Discovery added more grade levels and students. Now in its ninth year, the school serves over 2,000 students in grades PreK-12. 

In 2018, the formidable founding team at Kenner Discovery developed a central office -- Discovery Schools -- and decided to expand the school’s success to serve the needs of more Jefferson Parish residents. The second school, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery, opened in August 2020 implementing the structures and best practices that have contributed to the success of Kenner Discovery. 

Discovery Charter Schools are open-enrollment Type 1 charter schools authorized by Jefferson Parish Public School Systems. All Discovery schools are free public schools that have the flexibility to adapt to the educational needs of individual students.

The mission of Discovery Health Sciences Academy is to provide a rigorous learning environment where students achieve academically, develop intellectual curiosity, and practice environmental responsibility while exploring health and science topics and careers.

Dr. Jesse Watson graduated from SUBR and is currently based in Kenner, United States.