Sussex Academy, a tuition-free K–12 public charter school in Georgetown, announced the results of its lottery Jan. 16, with 146 families sent invitations to enroll.
“We embrace the fact that families in Delaware have a choice, and are grateful for the community support that we have from families that are applying to be a part of an accelerated educational program in a small school setting,” said Head of School Kyle Bentley.
Families may complete a choice application via SchoolChoiceDE.org to enroll their children in any Delaware public, charter or vocational-technical school, regardless of their home address. Children must first be enrolled in their school of residence before submitting a choice application.
To inform families about the opportunity, Sussex Academy advertised information about its educational programming and school choice, including application opening and closing dates, and hosted open houses at elementary and secondary campuses.
Enrollment at Sussex Academy is limited by the State of Delaware based on the school charter. If applications outnumber open spots, a lottery is conducted in January to select students who will be invited to enroll.
“As a public charter school, we are a true lottery,” Bentley said. “We use a third-party vendor in the Data Services Center to process applications and conduct the lottery for families that believe in our school mission.”
This year, 1,350 applications were received for 146 openings; 40 in kindergarten, 80 in sixth grade, 5 in seventh, 20 in ninth and 1 in 11th grade, he said. Waiting list information is provided to parents who are not selected. In accordance with Delaware Code, the wait list remains in effect until Sept. 30.
“Like many surrounding public school districts, we give enrollment preference to children of staff and siblings,” Bentley said. “We will continue to have more than 1,000 families on the waitlist, which speaks to the demand for a different choice in education.”
Currently, Bentley said, there are more than 300 families on the waiting list for kindergarten and sixth grade. A total of 665 families are on the waiting list for elementary spots, 314 families are on the middle school waitlist and 198 are on the high school waiting list, he said.
Sussex Academy will host the Blood Bank of Delmarva for a blood donation drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6.
According to the Blood Bank of Delmarva, high school mobile drives account for about 25% of its blood supply and generate the most first-time donors. One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
In addition, said Sussex Academy nurse Dawnyel Furlong, every unit donated helps support the Blood Bank of Delmarva’s scholarship program for a Sussex Academy student. The 2024 winner was graduate Ellie Davis.
Sign up at Sussex Academy’s designated link at donate.bbd.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/10778. Donors will first report to the Sussex Academy Aquatic Center at the rear of the school to check in; donations will take place in the mobile van. All donors will receive a gift.
For more information about the Blood Bank of Delmarva, go to delmarvablood.org.
After coordinating a holiday collection drive for veterans, Sussex Academy sophomore Jack Thomas donated 50 bags full of items for Kent and Sussex county veterans.
Each bag included a blanket, an insulated water bottle, a hat, gloves, hand warmers, a scarf, toothbrush/toothpaste, a second foldable backpack, toiletries, a poncho, wipes and a holiday greeting card handmade by Sussex Academy elementary students.
Veterans at the VA Sussex County Outpatient Clinic also received gift bags with gloves, hats and handmade cards from our elementary students.
Sussex Academy students and siblings (l-r) Jack and Grace Thomas delivered gift bags full of items for veterans to Kent and Sussex County VA Homeless Coordinator Lisa Lincoln and Sussex VA Outpatient Clinic Administrative Lead Natalie Baker.
Sussex Academy eighth grader Zylah Nash’s creative talents led to her selection as the middle school third place winner of the Teen Dating Violence Poster Contest.
Sponsored by the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, the contest was open to Delaware middle and high school students. This year’s theme was “Know the Signs: Recognizing Green and Red Flags.”
Zylah, who has an interest in graphic design, said she researched ways teenagers can be manipulated in a relationship as she created her poster.
“I like drawing, and it was the second time I entered a state contest, so I felt I had a good chance,” she said.
In fact, judges were very impressed with Zylah’s submission, with one remarking, “The design of your characters is great and the panels shown were very emotional – great job!”
As Delaware’s third place middle school winner, Zylah will receive a $150 Visa gift card. She will be recognized at the DVCC Quarterly Meeting on March 12. Her work will be on display with all middle school posters and the top 10 high school posters on the ground floor of Legislative Hall in Dover from Jan. 16-30.
Sussex Academy inducted seven new members of the World Language Honor Society in an intimate school ceremony Jan. 14.
New members Caroline Carlisle, Leni Kuska, Finna Graves, Ava Huerta, Angel Figueroa, Melanie Felipe-Ramirez and Rossy Herrera were invited to officially light their candles and join the society.
Students who meet certain academic and behavior requirements, including enrollment in a world language course and maintaining a GPA above 85%, can apply for the World Language Honor Society each November.
Members must also complete service hours related to world language throughout the year to help spread cultural awareness.
The World Language Honor Society hosts cultural events such as Día de Muertos, culture day, Haitian Flag Day, and engages in projects that support Latin communities, such as the Pulsera Project, in which Central American artists connect with students in more than 3,800 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or “pulseras” in Spanish.
Leading the society are President Jaziz Carvahal-Pecheco, Vice President Katya Geyer, Treasurer Oliver Graves, Secretary Katerine Amador-Ovalle and Historian Karina Lopez. Spanish teacher Nico Caceres serves as advisor.
Sussex Academy thespians will present the popular musical “Ride the Cyclone” Jan. 23-26.
Two full casts have been rehearsing diligently for this production, in which the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident.
When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!
Senior Caroline Carlisle, who plays Jane Doe, said the production is built on collaboration. Having two casts is an extra layer of support and togetherness, she said.
“This group is willing to discuss and work together and each cast brings a different but unifying take to the show,” Caroline said. “My favorite aspect, though, has to be having someone right alongside you who is playing your same role.”
Senior Alex DeEmedio, who plays Ocean, said performing in this show and specific role has been a bucket-list item for her.
“I loved the fact that the show had so many dark elements while still delivering a beautiful message about cherishing your life,” Ales said.
Junior Abby Whitcomb, who also plays Jane Doe, said the show is a wonderful representation of the teens and people of her generation.
“Not only does this show highlight the eccentric and funky kinds of people but also the golden children and the wallflowers that one can see when they go to school everyday,” she said. “This show puts all of these people on the same playing field and demonstrates the empathy and the strength and power in kindness that we all have inside ourselves.”
Freshman Olivia Nehrbas, who plays Ricky, said she loves how the characters start as one-dimensional stereotypes and grow into so much more.
“This show is a fun way to embrace death, love and so many other things,” Olivia said. “People should come to see the show because of how truly wonderful the show and the cast are. This show is truly a rollercoaster of emotion and wonder.”
Senior Elaina Marsch, who is assistant director, said the production has challenged her idea that a show needs to make sense for it to be great.
“While the show doesn’t particularly ‘not’ not make sense, it is not traditional in the slightest,” Elaina said. “It takes place in a limbo-type environment where the story jumps from setting to setting. Luckily, that allowed me to explore different creative ideas to help make the show what it is.”
Freshman Lillie Bradley, who is playing her first lead role as Constance, said the show has opened the door for a lot of new possibilities.
“Double casting isn’t something I’ve experienced before, but I really enjoyed watching the other cast change and get more comfortable in their roles just like our cast has,” she said.
Junior Chase Reynolds, playing Noel, said he has dreamed of being in this production since he first saw it in 2019.
“The role of Noel means a lot to me, as it gives a voice to many kids who can’t really express their true selves,” Chase said.
The curtain rises at 7 p.m., Jan. 23–26. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Sussex Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Georgetown, Del. Its mission is to foster academic achievement and social responsibility in a small school environment where students participate in a highly accelerated college preparatory program that prepares them for the technological and global mindedness needed for the 21st century and that instills ethical conduct and service to others in their day-to-day lives.
Sussex Academy students joined more than 150 other local students at Healthcare Exploration Day, held Dec. 17 at the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare.
At the event, students were able to explore a variety of healthcare professions, including nursing, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, diagnostic imaging, medical residency, sterile processing, medical laboratory services and volunteer services.
Students learned about various pathways to pursue such careers and were able to connect with local college and university representatives.
Sussex Academy students who launched a Future Farmers of America chapter this fall have wasted no time getting involved in the community.
Students united by a love of animals and interest in agriculture officially launched the FFA chapter Sept. 24. Many students have experience working on farms and with animals, and saw the chapter as a way to further develop their leadership skills.
On Dec. 5, Sussex Academy FFA members organized a float to participate in the Georgetown Christmas parade. Chapter members plan to compete in competitions this year, attend the state convention in March and prepare for showings in the Delaware State Fair.
To join the Sussex Academy FFA chapter, students must be enrolled in agriscience and/or environmental courses during the year.
The newly formed Sussex Academy FFA chapter marched in the Georgetown Christmas Parade Dec. 5. Gathered in back are (l-r) Eva Boos, Maeve Lawson, Cooper Lawson and Mack Lawson. In front are Addison Lane, Grayce Glover, Jaziz Carvahal and Brynlee Lane.
Members of the Science National Honor Society at Sussex Academy held a Dunkin’ Donuts fundraiser during lunch Dec. 19 to raise money for projects at the Elementary Campus and for honors cards for graduating seniors.
Chapter members plan to create a science lesson at the Elementary Campus that aligns with topics students are learning about in class.
“We design our own lesson plan, warm-up, learning activities and review to ensure we actually teach the class valuable information,” said SNHS student Alex DeEmedio. “Last year, we did a lesson on biotic versus abiotic factors.”
Money raised from the fundraiser will go toward resources for this year’s lesson, specifically items for a learning activity, DeEmedio said.
“Last year, the elementary students all planted flower seeds,” she said. “We want to again create something they can bring home as well as an activity that could involve snacks as an incentive.”
The SNHS also has its own specific cords graduating seniors may wear with their caps and gowns at Sussex Academy’s graduation ceremony.
“We want to honor the seniors in our chapter by being able to purchase cords for all of them to show off all of their contributions,” DeEmedio said.
The Sussex Academy High School Cancer Club raised $530 in its bake sale to benefit Beebe Tunnell Cancer Center.
Junior Karla Hernandez said the SAHS Cancer Club chose Beebe as a beneficiary because the non-profit healthcare system depends on financial support.
“We arranged this event to offer love and support for cancer patients in our local community,” said junior Karla Hernandez.
Club members made brownies, chocolate-covered strawberries and pretzels, Oreo tres-leche cake, pretzel salad, and s’more and chocolate chip cookies to sell at the fundraiser.
Students Ashley Alvarez, Rossy Herrera, Karla Hernandez, Jaynie Chilel-Ramos, Alondra Cano, Yuvia Juarez, Michelle Diaz and Kallie Hope participated in the fundraiser.
