Sussex Academy completes Phase 1 of fundraising project

Over two years of concentrated effort, some $13.8 million has been raised for Sussex Academy, the newly combined middle-high school and the only charter school in Sussex County.

These funds, $6.25 of which were borrowed from U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development and $7.6 million raised through private donations, are being used to purchase and build out the school’s facility to serve grades 6-10.

A second and final effort to generate another $9.8 million to complete the facility requirements for the remaining grades 11-12 will begin later this year, according to Joseph M. Schell, chair of the Sussex Academy Foundation, the fundraising arm for the school.

When fully enrolled, Sussex Academy will serve 770 students. The mission of the school is to prepare all its students for acceptance and success at top-tier universities through a rigorous and challenging academic experience.

There is no cost or tuition for students to attend Sussex Academy, and any student may apply. While most students enter via a sixth-grade lottery, it is anticipated that there will be some admission slots available for ninth- and 10th-grade students over the next year or two.

“We deeply appreciate the support of more than 175 donors plus regional foundations and businesses who understand the imperative of greater educational choice for Sussex County students,” said Schell.

The second phase of fundraising will include a new wing of classrooms, athletic fields, a library-learning center, auditorium, cafeteria, warming kitchen and professional performance stage.

Over the past year, an additional 18.5 acres of land behind the school on Airport Road in Georgetown have been purchased with the help of an anonymous donor, including six acres acquired this month. This land will be used for new playing fields, athletic facilities and parking.

According to the most recent Department of Education testing results, middle school students at Sussex Academy ranked No. 1 in science, No. 2 in math, No. 3 in reading, and No. 6 in social studies out of all 50 middle schools in Delaware.

For more information, contact Gina Derrickson, community and communications manager at Sussex Academy, at 302-856-3636.