More Sussex schools mean more opportunity
Sussex students have never had more options in the realm of free public education. In Delaware’s Cape Region, students can realistically consider going to traditional schools in Cape Henlopen, Indian River and Milford school districts.
For those looking for more specialized offerings in vocational fields, Sussex Tech offers a high school curriculum with an emphasis on rigorous academics. Students wanting to attend Sussex Tech have to meet certain academic requirements and have their names drawn in an annual lottery for the limited number of positions available each year.
This year also marks an historic moment in Sussex County educational history with the advent of the Sussex Academy charter school - independent charter school under the authority of the Delaware Board of Education - which aims to have every one of its graduates attend college. Offering ninth through 12th grades, the school is an extension of the Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences charter middle school, which has led the state’s middle schools in many testing rankings for the past several years. The middle school and new high school have moved into the former Delmarva Christian High School facility in Georgetown. That school found that swapping its larger facility for the smaller Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences facility, also in Georgetown, made good sense for its smaller student body.
Just getting on its feet, Sussex Academy high school has plenty of open positions for this year’s ninth-grade class which will progress through the coming years to become the first graduating class. In future years, it’s anticipated the school will have to go to a lottery system like its middle school counterpart.
These choices for free public education mean students have the opportunity to select a school that best fits their goals. One school might have a strong arts department that attracts students. Others may be attracted to a strong athletics program, an active JROTC program, a school with a strong commitment to community service, or a school that thinks uniforms make a positive difference.
Education is the most critical component for preparing children for a constructive and fulfilling life. Parents can do well by their children by taking advantage of these unprecedented, and free, choices in Sussex public education.
Editor's note: This editorial was revised to correct an earlier version that contained incorrect information about oversight of the new school.
