Sussex Academy builds new student center

As a result of the Sussex Academy Strategic Plan conducted during the 2018-19 school year, Head of School Eric Anderson spearheaded the construction of a new student service center. This project was funded by the Sussex Academy Foundation.

The new space houses offices for the school’s academic counselor, school counselor and special education coordinator. There is also an office space for visiting counselors to meet with students. A new classroom space nearby will be used for student counseling, college representative visits, workshops, visiting physical and occupational therapists, general meetings, and testing; it may also be a resource as a reflective room for students. While the final stages of finishing the area with furnishings and paint are still in the works, the new student center serves as a welcoming, flexible space that addresses the many needs of the student services staff and the students who visit there.  

Debbie Fees, academic counselor, has been employed with Sussex Academy since 2008. Prior to becoming the full-time academic counselor in 2014, Fees was the Team Everest science teacher. Fees also serves as the International Baccalaureate co-coordinator.

Kathy Roberts, school counselor, joined the Sussex Academy team for the 2019-20 school year. Roberts has a master’s degree in counselor education from University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a bachelor of science degree in liberal studies/business education. She worked for more than 16 years in the Worcester County, Md. public schools and most recently as a school counselor serving grades pre-K to 12 at Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin, Md.

Art Doakes, special education coordinator, also came to Sussex Academy for the 2019-20 school year. Doakes has a master’s degree in school leadership from Wilmington University and a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral science. He served 15 years in the armed forces and has worked in Delaware schools since 1997 as a counselor, special education teacher and coach. Most recently he served as a life skills teacher for ninth to 12th grades at Laurel High School in Laurel.

Sussex Academy is a public charter, tuition-free school located in Georgetown serving grades 6-12. For more information, contact Gina Derrickson, director of development, at 302-856-3636 or gina.derrickson@saas.k12.de.us