A large crowd of current and past faculty and board members, alumni and other supporters recently gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sussex Academy, a school that has been a testament to what vision and and commitment can achieve in public education.

As the first charter school to open in Sussex County, Sussex Academy – then known as Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences – began with a focused mission to serve students in grades six through eight. In 2013, the academy expanded to include high school grades, and just four years later, it celebrated its first graduating class, as 37 students helped define a legacy that deepens with each year, including the 112 graduates in 2025.

That same year, 2017, marked another milestone: Sussex Academy became the first school in Delaware to earn a 10-year charter renewal, a vote of confidence in its academic model and leadership. Recognition has followed consistently, including being named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2016, an honor bestowed by the U.S. Department of Education that recognized safe, welcoming and high-performing learning environments (the program was discontinued in 2025). More recently, in 2025, Sussex Academy was named an AP School of Access and Excellence, which recognizes high schools that combine high Advanced Placement participation rates with strong exam performance. These academic honors reflect both high achievement and a commitment to opportunity for all students.

In 2020, Sussex Academy expanded to a full K-12 model, including the purchase of the Jefferson School in Georgetown to house its elementary program. This move solidified its role as a comprehensive educational institution serving families across all grade levels.

Beyond the classroom, Sussex Academy students have excelled in athletics and the arts. State championships in soccer in 2023 and 2024, along with a golf title in 2022 and numerous individual state champions highlight a thriving athletic culture. Meanwhile, achievements such as a current Poetry Out Loud champion and multiple all-state band and chorus selections underscore the school’s dedication to cultivating well-rounded students.

At 25 years, Sussex Academy’s greatest accomplishment isn’t found in any single award or milestone, but in the generations of students it has prepared for what comes next. Congratulations to Sussex Academy.