FAQ - Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences

When the school opened in the fall of 2000, there were 225 students enrolled. Our charter now allows us to enroll 325 students.

Generally, the school has 100-110 spaces open for sixth graders. Students who do not get in are placed on a waiting list.

The day to day responsibility of running the school is left to the Executive Directors and the teachers and support personnel. A Founding Board planned and developed the academy for approximately three years until the school opened in September of 2000. In the Fall of 2000, the newly organized Executive Board of Directors was formed. The board includes community members, parents, and a teacher representative. Parents are expected to take an active part in the school's activities.

The teachers receive intensive summer training and ongoing technical assistance from a consultant from the Expeditionary Learning (EL) program. Additional teacher inservice training takes place throughout the year.

Sussex Academy has full-time teachers for the core subject areas of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies that allows approximately 1:20 teacher to student ratio. In addition, there are part-time teachers for the exploratory subjects of computer, physical education, art and music.

Funding for the school comes from 2 major areas. Operating expenses are paid for by the state and the local districts in which a students reside.

Based on the number of students, the state provides money for the operating expenses including teacher salaries, equipment/technology, utilities, and transportation.

Students with special needs will receive all of the services they are entitled to as written in the IEP (Individualized Education Program). Our faculty includes highly qualified staff with special education training.

Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences has high expectations for academic performance and student decorum. At a minimum, charter schools are held to the same standards as other public schools. Students are to meet all of the state testing standards related to promotion guidelines and regulations as they apply to discipline, attendance, and health requirements.

Yes. Passing these state tests is one component required for passing to the next grade.

Our practice has been to combine sixth and seventh grade students in multi-age teams. Therefore, a student stays with the same team of teachers throughout the sixth and seventh grades. One of the ways students will track their academic progress is by maintaining a portfolio of their work throughout these two years. Toward the end of seventh grade, each student will present his or her portfolio of work to a portfolio committee for review.

Yes. The Sussex Academy is a public school and, as such, must abide by the state regulations regarding immunizations and health records.

The Sussex Academy has established high academic and personal standards for the students who will be attending the school. School uniforms project an image that is consistent with the high standards of the Academy and also reflect an appropriate academically oriented school climate.

Students at the school are required to wear school uniforms selected from and supplied by In Unison School Apparel, 10060 West McNab Road, Tamarac, FL 33321. Phone: 1.866.299.9501 Fax: 1.866.299.9503

Other rules of neat, clean, appropriate dress apply also. Students are not to wear clothing that is too tight or revealing and are not to "shag" (wear their pants on their hips). They are not to wear uniforms adorned with other logos, most particularly those implying drug, alcohol, or tobacco use, or having any vulgar language. Hair color must be a natural color.

They are to wear outerwear (e.g. gloves, headgear, coats, etc.) only outdoors and store these articles during their stay in the building. The students are to wear appropriate shoes, (e.g. athletic shoes, oxfords, etc.) not open-toed footwear such as sandals or "flip-flops."

The Executive Director has the authority to determine what is or is not acceptable dress and appearance

At this time the school does not have a kitchen. Sussex Academy has contracted with the Laurel School District to provide lunch daily. Orders are paid for in advance. Students may pack their lunch. Meals are eaten in the multi-purpose room.

As a public school, the academy receives state funding for transportation. Our bus routes operate on a hub system with no door-to-door busing.

See the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook for a general overview. Our students are held to a high standard of conduct.

Yes. A traditional grading system of letter grades from A to F is used with an A being equal to a numerical grade from 93 to 100, B from 92 to 85, C from 84 to 75, D from 74 to 70, and F from 69 to 0.

The school has a computer classroom with computers available for individual use or large group instruction. Students can use computers for electronic research and access to the Internet. The school also has two mobile, wireless laptoplabs. In addition, each classroom has computers available to be used in the instructional program.

Yes. Currently, students who are eligible to attend the Academy Challenge Program SAAS provides the transportation to the program.

Sussex Academy runs an after-school intramural program. In addition, the Sports Boosters sponsor interscholastic sports teams during the fall, winter and spring.

Students can participate in Chorus and Band. Also, students participate in clubs of their choosing such as photography, debate, computer, and yearbook. In addition, teachers and parents sponsor academic activities such as Math League, Science Olympiad, and Odyssey of the Mind.

A student may attend the high school of his choice, and will leave Sussex Academy well prepared to do so.

The success of the school depends on the participation of the parents. In addition to having parents serve on the Board of Directors, volunteers are needed in numerous areas. Some of those areas include:
    •  Serving on the student Portfolio Review Committees.
    •  Volunteering in the classroom or on field trips.
    •  Sponsoring after school activities or clubs.
    •  Participating in PTO.
    •  Participating in Sports Boosters.