Head of School Updates
July 15th, 2026
I hope everyone is enjoying a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved summer! The summer break provides a wonderful opportunity to recharge, reflect, and spend quality time with family and friends.
While many of our students and families are enjoying a well earned break, there is still plenty happening across both Sussex Academy campuses as we prepare for another exciting school year. Our custodial team is hard at work cleaning classrooms, refreshing learning spaces, and preparing our facilities to welcome students back in August. Our Summer Program continues to provide meaningful learning opportunities for many of our Seahawks. Our leadership team is advancing the initiatives outlined in our Strategic Plan and preparing for a successful 2026–2027 school year.
We look forward to sharing more updates throughout the summer as we continue building upon the momentum of last year and strengthening the opportunities we provide for our students. Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, stay safe, and enjoy this time with your family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back soon!
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns as we prepare for another great school year together.
July Board of Directors Meeting
Please see the agenda below for the upcoming Board of Directors meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at 4:00 PM in the Board Room at the Secondary Campus.
K-12 Performing Arts Director
As part of Sussex Academy's Strategic Plan, we are excited to continue investing in opportunities that provide every student with a well rounded educational experience. Beginning this school year, we are expanding our K–12 performing arts program by creating a more connected approach to music, theatre, chorus, and band across our school community.
To lead this exciting work, we are thrilled to announce that Mr. Christopher Decker has been named the K-12 Performing Arts Director. In this new role, Mr. Decker will continue teaching elementary music while providing leadership for our K–12 performing arts program, including after-school chorus, band, musicals, and theatrical productions. Originally from Washington, D.C., Mr. Decker brings more than 10 years of professional theatre and music experience, including performances at Carnegie Hall and extensive experience teaching music, theatre, and vocal performance to students in grades K–12. He believes there is a place for every student in the arts and is passionate about creating opportunities for students to explore their creativity, build confidence, and discover their talents.
To learn more about the exciting opportunities this expanded program will provide for our students, we invite all families to save the date for Tuesday, August 18, when we will host an informational evening to share our vision for the future of performing arts at Sussex Academy. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks, and we look forward to seeing you there!
State Assessment Score Reports (Grades 3–8 ELA & Math)
State assessment score reports for students in Grades 3–8 will be available to families in mid-July.
Families will be able to access their child's score report through Infinite Campus by selecting the "State Assessment Score Reports" link in the Family Portal. The link will take you directly to your student's official score report.
Additional information and step-by-step instructions for accessing score reports will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, you can preview the access instructions here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sArIJtjZck1Ri9VDz78DrHpGZ2E2UKsj/edit?slide=id.p2#slide=id.p2
Uniform Sale
The annual Sussex Academy Uniform Sale will take place on Thursday, August 6, from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at the Secondary Campus. This event is open to all Sussex Academy K–12 families and is a great opportunity to purchase gently used uniform items at an affordable price.
If your family has gently used uniforms that are no longer needed, donations may be dropped off at either the Elementary or Secondary Campus prior to the sale. We are also looking for volunteers to help with event setup and sales throughout the day. If you are able to lend a hand, please consider signing up using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4EADAA2EA5FE3-64780607-uniform#/
Thank you for supporting this wonderful tradition and helping our Seahawk families prepare for another successful school year!
A Letter from Mrs. Reed
Hello Sussex Academy Elementary Families,
It is both an honor and a joy to introduce myself as the new Elementary Dean at Sussex Academy. As a proud Sussex County native, I am deeply connected to this community. I graduated from a local school district and earned my degrees from the University of Delaware. Over the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of teaching elementary students across Sussex and Kent Counties. I am also a proud parent of three students at Sussex Academy, which further deepens my connection and commitment to our Seahawk community.
Five years ago, I joined Sussex Academy as a third-grade math and science teacher. Since then, I have also served as a Learning Support Interventionist for our school, further strengthening my commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our learners. My experiences across multiple grade levels have shaped my belief in the importance of strong relationships, high-quality instruction, and support for students academically, socially, and emotionally.
I am incredibly proud to be part of the Seahawk family and am excited to continue building meaningful connections with our students, staff, and families. Together, we will foster a school environment where every student is encouraged to explore, experience, and excel.
I look forward to partnering with you in the years ahead!
A Letter from Ms. Johnston
Middle School Leadership Starts at Home
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and finding time to relax, recharge, and make memories together. While school is on break, leadership doesn't take a vacation! Summer offers so many opportunities for our students to continue growing as leaders through the everyday choices they make.
At Sussex Academy Middle School, our students learn and practice the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People through our Leader in Me program. You can help reinforce these habits at home in simple ways:
Be Proactive by encouraging responsibility and independence.
Begin with the End in Mind by helping your child set a summer goal.
Put First Things First by balancing responsibilities with fun.
Think Win-Win by modeling kindness, teamwork, and compromise.
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood by practicing active listening and empathy.
Synergize by working together on family activities or projects.
Sharpen the Saw by making time to read, stay active, be creative, and recharge.
One of my favorite things about Leader in Me is that leadership isn't about being in charge; it's about making positive choices, serving others, and growing each day. Some of the best leadership lessons happen around the dinner table, during a family outing, or while tackling everyday challenges together.
As we look ahead to a new school year, I'm excited to welcome our Seahawks back and continue building a culture where every student is empowered to lead. Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, make lasting memories, and keep looking for those everyday moments that help your child grow into the leader they are meant to be.
I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Rachael Johnston
Athletic Updates
🎟️ Be Part of the Seahawks Game Day Team!
We are seeking parent volunteers to support Sussex Academy Athletics at varsity home events throughout the school year.
Opportunities include ticket taking, scoreboard operation, and game-day announcements during our Fall (Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Field Hockey), Winter (Wrestling, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball), and Spring (Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Girls Soccer, Boys Volleyball) seasons.
Your time and support help create a positive, first-class experience for our student-athletes and fans. Whether you can help once or multiple times, we would love to have you involved.
Complete the Volunteer Interest Form here: https://forms.gle/SsC2eBdYASVWVQN56
Contact Athletic Director Mr. Dina at rj.dina@saas.k12.de.us with any questions.
🏥Athletic Registration and Physical Upload for 2026–2027 School Year
Athlete registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. All student-athletes must complete the required online registration steps prior to participation in any sport.
To get started, please complete the following:
Snap Manage – Registration Page: https://accounts.snap.app/login?redirectTo=https://manage.snap.app/register/saathletics/dashboard/home
High School Athlete Eligibility Form (RankOne): https://sussexacademy.rankone.com/Pro/Login.aspx?force=1
"How-To" Registration Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j34LtI2F-eGwF0zjGw5k2vHnGGSriIOz/view
You may also download the NEW DIAA Physical & Consent Form as part of the required documentation process: https://education.delaware.gov/diaa/health_and_safety/medical_forms/
All registration resources, links, and step-by-step guidance can also be found on our athletics website, sussexacademysports.com
Please note, Sussex Academy will no longer accept paper copies of physicals. All athletic registrations and physical documents must be submitted electronically through Snap Manage. Please do not email or drop off paper copies.
Please contact Mr. Dina @ rj.dina@saas.k12.de.us with any questions.
First Day of School Reminder
We are looking forward to our first days of school for students. Just a reminder that 6th and 9th grade students start on Monday, August 31st. All students present on Tuesday, September 1st.
Click here to access the full 2026-27 school calendar.
Graduation Photos
Lifetouch pictures from this year's graduation ceremony are now ready! Please see the electronic flyer by clicking here. The flyer includes all the necessary details as to how to view and order the pictures.
Mrs. Barbara Evans
Mrs. Barbara Evans is excited to join the Sussex Academy team as our 6th Grade Writing Teacher. She brings 19 years of teaching experience and holds certifications spanning exceptional children to gifted and talented education, equipping her to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners. Mrs. Evans believes every student has a story worth telling and is passionate about helping young writers discover their voice, build confidence, and communicate with purpose.
Mrs. Evans is committed to creating a classroom culture that balances academic rigor with a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students are challenged to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and take ownership of their learning. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family fishing, hunting, hiking, and cheering on the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. We are excited to welcome Mrs. Evans to the Sussex Academy community!
Dr. Kate Libby
Dr. Kate Libby is excited to join the Sussex Academy team as an Elementary Interventionist. She brings 15 years of experience in elementary education, having served as a classroom teacher, special educator, instructional coach, and math specialist. Dr. Libby also has experience in higher education, where she helped develop teacher preparation programs and worked closely with preservice teachers. A National Board Certified Teacher, she earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Wilmington University and is passionate about supporting the academic success of every student.
Dr. Libby believes that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful learning and is committed to partnering with students, families, and staff to create a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on her three children in their many activities. We are excited to welcome Dr. Libby to the Sussex Academy community!
Ms. Georgia Spencer
Ms. Georgia Spencer is excited to join the Sussex Academy team as our Secondary Campus Office Secretary. She began her role on July 1 and brings valuable experience from both the private sector and educational settings, including serving as a school secretary and supporting district level operations. Her background in school administration, customer service, and organizational support makes her a wonderful addition to our secondary campus as she helps create a welcoming and efficient experience for our students, families, and staff.
Ms. Georgia is passionate about building positive relationships and providing exceptional service to everyone who walks through our doors. She is especially excited to join the Sussex Academy community as her daughter is now enrolled and proudly calls herself a Seahawk. We are thrilled to welcome the Spencer family and look forward to the positive impact Ms. Georgia will have on our school community.
Mrs. Angela Wilson
Ms. Angela Wilson is excited to join the Sussex Academy team as our 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher. She brings 19 years of experience teaching social studies and a wealth of knowledge in geography, civics, economics, and history. Ms. Wilson is passionate about helping students understand the world around them by creating engaging, student-centered learning experiences that incorporate technology, real-world connections, and opportunities for critical thinking.
Ms. Wilson is committed to fostering a classroom where curiosity, collaboration, and active learning inspire students to become informed and engaged citizens. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and relaxing at the beach. She is excited to begin this new chapter at Sussex Academy alongside her two daughters, who will also be joining the Seahawk community. We are thrilled to welcome the Wilson family to Sussex Academy!