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New STEM Charter School Planned for Wesley Chapel

Discovery Academy of Science to open K-8 campus near SR 56 by 2027–2028 school year

Wesley Chapel’s growth isn’t slowing down, and now the education options are expanding with it.

A new campus for Discovery Academy of Science is officially in the works, bringing a tuition-free K-8 STEM-focused charter school to one of the fastest-growing areas in Pasco County. Construction is already underway, with the school expected to open in August 2027 for the 2027–2028 school year.

The campus will sit east of I-75 near State Road 56 and Two Ridges Road, right in the middle of the development boom that continues to reshape Wesley Chapel.

Discovery Academy of Science focuses on hands-on learning through a STEM-based curriculum, emphasizing science, innovation, and real-world application. The school’s existing Clearwater campus has been operating since 2013 and holds an A rating in Florida.

Applications for the inaugural year are already open, a sign of how quickly the project is moving.

For local families, especially those in the growing communities along the SR 56 corridor, this adds another option at a time when school capacity continues to be a major topic.

And with rooftops going up across Wesley Chapel, it likely won’t be the last new school announcement we see.

The Real What’s Up

Oasis Community

Oasis Church is stepping beyond Sunday services and into the community with its outreach efforts, focused on meeting real needs in real time. From providing meals to partnering with local groups and supporting those going through difficult situations, the initiative is built around connection, service, and showing up where it matters most.

It’s less about programs and more about people, creating a space where support isn’t just talked about, it’s actually delivered.

What’s Up With the Menu

Your Restaurant Could Be Here

Get your restaurant, food truck, bakery, or café in front of thousands of local food lovers every week. This is where Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa, and Zephyrhills go to discover their next favorite bite.

Make sure they discover you. Advertise with us and turn hungry readers into hungry customers walking through your door.

Email us at: [email protected] 

What’s Up This Week

What’s Up Working

3 Sixty Entertainment

Prom. Graduation. Graduation parties. Summer celebrations.

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Whether it’s a packed dance floor or a backyard graduation party, Luna keeps the vibe going and gives everyone something to take home and share.

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Dates are filling fast for prom and graduation season.

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The Cost of Cutting

New ordinance raises tree removal costs and pushes developers to preserve more canopy

As Wesley Chapel keeps growing, Pasco County is trying to make sure it doesn’t lose all its trees in the process.

County commissioners have unanimously approved a major update to the tree ordinance, tightening rules on how and when trees can be removed during development. The move signals a shift toward balancing rapid growth with environmental protection.

At the center of the changes is cost. Developers will now pay $75 per inch of trunk diameter to remove most trees, up from $50, with even higher fees for larger “heritage” trees.

But it’s not just about penalties. The county is also trying to make preservation more appealing. Developers can earn credits for keeping larger trees or maintaining canopy along major roadways, rewarding projects that build around existing greenery instead of clearing it.

The new rules go deeper than pricing. Tree removal is now tied directly to the development approval process, requiring detailed surveys, protection plans, and permits before land can be cleared. There’s also a stronger push to preserve canopy, with a general target of keeping about 20% of upland trees on site.

This comes as areas like Wesley Chapel continue to see rapid development along corridors like SR 56, where large-scale clearing has become the norm.

Not everyone thinks it goes far enough. Some residents have pushed for stricter protections, arguing that once mature trees are gone, they’re gone for decades.

Still, county leaders say this is a step in the right direction.

For Wesley Chapel, it likely means future developments won’t look quite as stripped down as some of the ones we’ve seen. Whether it’s enough to keep pace with growth is a different question.

What’s Up Sports

(Coming Soon)

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for reading. Keep showing up for each other, supporting your neighbors, and building the kind of community we’re all proud to call home.

The Folks Behind The Curtain

P.S.

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