Head of School Updates

Happy New Year! I hope everyone reading this message enjoyed time with family and friends over the two-week break. We are hitting the ground running in 2026 and our campuses have been filled with positive energy this week as we kick off the new year.

I’d like to remind families that the School Choice application deadline is quickly approaching. If you have family, friends, or neighbors who are considering joining our community, please remind them that applications are due Wednesday, January 14th at 11:59 PM. Our lottery will be run on Thursday, January 22nd to fill open seats for next school year. Students who are already enrolled do not need to reapply.

Thank you, in advance, for helping us share this important school choice information!

ACCESS 2.0 Testing for SA Multi-Lingual Learners

In February, all students identified as Multi-Lingual Learners at Sussex Academy will participate in Delaware’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment known as ACCESS 2.0. This assessment helps students, their families, and teachers determine each student’s strengths and areas for growth in four language domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Click here for more information or contact Karen Bunting for elementary questions (karen.bunting@saas.k12.de.us) or Colin Marine for secondary questions (colin.marine@saas.k12.de.us)

Mark your calendars now to celebrate our 25th anniversary! More information to follow!

Our Inclement Weather Plan for the 2025-2026 school year has two phases, depending on the length of the weather event:

• Day 1 of a Weather Event: This day will be treated as a traditional weather closure. Schools will be closed, and there will be no expectation for staff or students to report to the building or engage in any learning activities.

• Day 2 and Beyond: If a weather event requires a second day (or more) of school closure, we will transition to our remote learning plan utilizing asynchronous learning.

Please note, after the third inclement weather event, all subsequent school closings will transition to Remote Learning for students. If schools are closed, we will send a phone call, text message and email to families.

Click here to read the communication we shared in October for additional details.

January 9 - Dress Down Day (Free)

January 15 - Wellness Night 5:30 - 7:30 (see flyer below)

January 19 - No School for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 23 - Dress Down Day ($2)

We are excited to announce that Sussex Academy Elementary has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

NAEP is the largest nationally representative assessment of what students across the country know and can do in various subjects. We are proud of our students and know they will do a wonderful job representing our school and showing the nation what Sussex Academy students can achieve.

Please review the official Parent/Guardian notification letter for more details regarding the assessment:

👉 Access the Notification Letter Here

Thank you to everyone who joined the parent meeting on December 15th! It was a productive session with some fantastic ideas for the coming months. See THIS LINK for a summary of what we discussed and the next meeting date.

We are writing to share some sad news with our school community. One of our beloved goats, Tiger Lily, passed away over the break. Tiger Lily had a wonderful life and she brought so much joy to our students and staff alike. We will miss her presence in the yard.

The loss of a "school pet" is never easy. If you feel comfortable, we encourage you to talk with your child about her passing at home. Thank you for being such a supportive community as we remember a very special member of our school family.

See the flyers below about our upcoming Wellness Night on Thursday, January 15th.

As we set the tone for 2026, we’re starting with something that never goes out of style: kindness. Please take a moment to watch this short video that highlights the science behind kindness. Research indicates that acts of kindness strengthen our brains, enhance well-being, and foster meaningful, lasting connections. Kindness isn’t just nice—it’s powerful.

Dress Down Day this Friday, 1/9 - Free!

We are planning for an unforgettable evening on Saturday, May 2, at the beautiful Cambria Hotel on Route 24 in Rehoboth! The celebration kicks off with the promenade at 6:00 p.m., followed by a delicious dinner at 7:00 p.m. Students will enjoy dancing and music all evening with the exciting announcement of Prom King and Queen at 9:00 p.m. The evening will wrap up at 10:00 p.m., ending a magical night filled with fun, friendship, and celebration.

We are dancing into 2026! On Saturday, February 7th, we will have a MS Semi-formal Dance. More information to come from homeroom teachers but see the flyer below for some of the details.

Students in grades 6–12 are starting their monthly lessons using Naviance, a college, career, and life-readiness platform. Through grade-level lessons, students will build essential social-emotional skills while also exploring their strengths, interests, and future pathways.

Lessons are thoughtfully sequenced by grade level and aligned with CASEL competencies, and our MTSS Tier 1 supports, helping students connect personal growth with academic success, career exploration, and postsecondary planning. Naviance allows students to reflect, set goals, and plan for the future, empowering them to thrive both in school and beyond.