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Sussex Academy receives state’s first 10-year charter renewal

January 3, 2018

The Delaware State Board of Education granted Sussex Academy a 10-year charter renewal Dec. 14, making it the first school in the state to receive such a distinction.

While charter renewals in Delaware are generally for five years, Sussex Academy has both met and exceeded overall standards in academic, organizational and financial performance measurements for all prior charter renewals. Because Sussex Academy met these qualifications, the Delaware State Board of Education invited the school to apply for the 10-year renewal.

Since its original charter approval that provided authorization to open the school in 2000, Sussex Academy has applied and received approval for three renewals for the years 2003-08, 2008-13 and 2013-18. The 2013-18 renewal included the addition of a high school.

The charter renewal process includes writing the charter renewal request, and having public hearings and meetings with the Delaware Department of Education. The initial request for this charter renewal was made in September.

"This is a monumental achievement for Sussex Academy, and we are quite proud of it," said Dr. Patricia Oliphant, director of curriculum and instruction. "Our faculty, staff, board, students, families and friends in the community are the ones who made this possible. We value their continued commitment to our school. In addition, we wish to thank the Charter School Office and the Charter Accountability Committee for its attention to transparency and accountability as we sought renewal."

Sussex Academy is a public, charter, tuition-free school centrally located in Georgetown. Serving sixth through 12th grades, the school practices a project-based learning approach, and all 11th- and 12th-grade students participate in the International Baccalaureate program. For more information, go to www.sussexacademy.org.

 

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