Sussex Academy Of Arts

What Sussex Academy Of Arts does

Sussex Academy is a public charter school operating in Georgetown, Delaware since September 2000, when it became the first charter school in Sussex County. The school serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade across two campuses: a 43-acre elementary campus adjacent to Redden State Forest that supports nature-based learning (gardens, greenhouse, ponds, trails, and animal habitats), and a secondary campus at 21150 Airport Road that houses the middle and high school divisions alongside the main administrative headquarters. Enrollment is capped at approximately 1,190 students under the school's charter, with admissions run through Delaware's centralized School Choice portal and a blind randomized lottery when applications exceed available seats. The school is governed by an independent Board of Directors as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity, with Kyle Bentley serving as Head of School since 2024.

The institution offers an accelerated, college-preparatory K-12 curriculum built on Benchmark Advance for English Language Arts, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, NGSS for science, and the VAMOS program with Garbanzo for Spanish. The Academic Challenge Program provides a five-year accelerated track enabling students to earn up to 12 college credits in English and 15 in mathematics through dual enrollment with Delaware Technical Community College and the University of Delaware. Technology integration includes 1:1 Chromebooks for grades 4-12 and iPads/Chromebooks for K-3. Complementary facilities and services include the Sussex Academy Aquatic Center (an eight-lane 25-yard heated pool donated by Schell Brothers in 2016), an on-site food pantry established with the Harry K Foundation and Food Bank of Delaware, USDA-compliant meal service via Lunchworks, and Red Cross lifeguard certification training.

Operating revenue is sourced primarily from state of Delaware and local school district per-pupil funding allocated by enrolled student residence. Capital and supplemental revenue is generated through the Sussex Academy Foundation and the Soaring Higher Campaign, with tiered donation levels up to $10,000+. The Aquatic Center produces additional ancillary revenue from individual and couple memberships ($70-$110/month or $715-$995/year), swim lessons ($20-$40 per session), and lifeguard certification courses ($275-$350). Annual activity fees of $185 per student cover technology, field trips, and supplemental classroom materials. Recent strategic activity includes the February 2026 launch of a 2026-2028 strategic plan in partnership with the University of Delaware School Leadership team, and the 2025 launch of the Soaring Higher capital campaign.

Name

Sussex Academy Of Arts

Legal name

Sussex Academy Charter School

Website

https://sussexacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sussex Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Georgetown, Delaware, serving approximately 1,190 K-12 students with accelerated college-preparatory curriculum, dual enrollment partnerships with Delaware Tech and the University of Delaware, and an ancillary aquatic center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter Montessori/Waldorf/Classical/Expeditionary (Pedagogical Models) (EDAJACAL)

Keywords

• K-12 charter school
• Public charter education
• College preparatory programs
• Aquatic recreation services
• Accelerated learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Georgetown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State and Local District Funding: Operating expenses are funded by the state of Delaware and the local school districts where students reside, based on enrollment numbers.
2. Donations and Capital Campaign: The Sussex Academy Foundation actively raises funds for capital expenses since state and local funding does not cover physical plant needs. The Soaring Higher Campaign offers tiered donation levels: Explore ($500), Experience ($501-$9,999), and Excel ($10,000+).
3. Aquatic Center Memberships and Programs: The non-profit aquatic center generates revenue through annual and monthly memberships, swim lessons, fitness classes, and Red Cross certification training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sussex Academy is a tuition-free public charter school offering accelerated K-12 college-preparatory education across Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12) divisions on two Georgetown, Delaware campuses. The school operates the Sussex Academy Aquatic Center, a year-round indoor eight-lane 25-yard heated pool facility offering memberships, swim lessons, fitness classes, and American Red Cross lifeguard certification. Educational offerings include dual enrollment partnerships with Delaware Tech and the University of Delaware enabling students to earn up to 27 college credits.

Product overview

Sussex Academy is a public charter school system offering a unified K-12 accelerated academic program through three distinct school divisions: Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12). The institution complements its core educational offerings with specialized programs including the Academic Challenge Program for gifted students, an on-site Food Pantry for families, and the Sussex Academy Aquatic Center providing aquatic fitness and instruction. The high school division features Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment partnerships with Delaware Tech and University of Delaware. Additional services include Red Cross lifeguard certification training, swim lessons, and before/after school activities. The school operates from two campuses in Georgetown, Delaware, serving approximately 1,190 students with a focus on project-based learning and interdisciplinary curriculum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sussex Academy Aquatic Center (SAAC): A year-round indoor eight-lane 25-yard heated pool facility offering aquatic fitness classes, swim lessons, Red Cross lifeguard certification, and membership programs. One of the largest pools in Sussex County, Delaware.

Products and services

• Sussex Academy Elementary School Public charter school serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade, located on a 43-acre campus at the edge of Redden State Forest with nature-based learning experiences including environmental science classes, gardens, greenhouse, and animals.
• Sussex Academy Middle School Public charter school serving students in grades 6 through 8 with an accelerated, college preparatory curriculum featuring interdisciplinary learning, project-based learning, and the Academic Challenge Program.
• Sussex Academy High School Public charter school serving students in grades 9 through 12 with advanced placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities with Delaware Tech and University of Delaware, and a college preparatory curriculum.
• Sussex Academy Aquatic Center (SAAC) Year-round indoor eight-lane, 25-yard heated pool facility featuring aquatic fitness classes, lap swimming, masters swim program, swim lessons, and Red Cross lifeguard certification programs with community membership options.
• SAAC Swim Lessons Comprehensive swim lesson program at the Sussex Academy Aquatic Center offering parent/child classes, preschool and youth beginner lessons through advanced stroke clinics, including private, semi-private, and group lessons.
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Certification and recertification training for lifesaving and emergency response skills, including water rescue, CPR/AED, first aid, and spinal injury response. Certification is valid for two years upon completion.

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• University of Delaware School LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnered with Sussex Academy in February 2026 to launch comprehensive strategic planning process with surveys, focus groups, and data review to guide future development.
• Schell BrothersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2016Generously donated and built the Sussex Academy Aquatic Center facility on December 15, 2016. Major capital contributor enabling the community aquatic facility.
• Harry K FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Sussex Academy to establish an on-site Food Pantry providing non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and household cleaning supplies free of charge to qualifying families.
• Food Bank of DelawarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Harry K Foundation and Sussex Academy to establish the on-site Food Pantry for families experiencing financial hardship.
• Delaware Technical Community College (Delaware Tech)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic Challenge Program partnership allowing high school students to earn college credits through dual enrollment courses at Delaware Tech Owens Campus.
• University of DelawarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership through Academic Challenge Program and Teachers of Tomorrow program. Students can earn college credits at Owens Campus. School partnered with UD School Leadership team for strategic planning process.
• Lighthouse CateringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides daily breakfast and lunch offerings for students following USDA School Lunch Program requirements for free or reduced-priced meals.
• Dutton Bus CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted transportation provider operating school bus routes from hub locations throughout Sussex County.
• Bella Terra Landscapes & Garden CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided guidance and expertise for student tree planting project at elementary campus, helping plant magnolias and willows near solar panel system.
• Delaware School Choice / Data Service CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages application submission and processing through the Delaware School Choice portal for Sussex Academy admissions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Great Hearts Academies: Multi-state charter network delivering a classical, college-preparatory K-12 curriculum; comparable to Sussex Academy in mission intensity and accelerated academics, with overlap on parental demand for non-default school options.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Large urban charter network operating under a similar tuition-free, per-pupil-funded, lottery-based admissions model with strong college-prep outcomes, relevant as a scaled peer in charter K-12 operations.
• BASIS Charter Schools: National college-preparatory charter network offering accelerated AP and dual-enrollment-style curricula, comparable in pedagogical intensity and college-credit pathway design, though operating outside Delaware.

Regional players

• Positive Outcomes Charter School: Delaware public charter school operating under the same state authorization and per-pupil funding regime, comparable as a Delaware-licensed charter peer with similar governance and lottery-based admissions.
• Campus Community School: Delaware public charter school with a similar college-preparatory K-12 mission, operating under Delaware's per-pupil funding and School Choice admissions system.
• KIPP Delaware: Network of Delaware charter schools operating under the same state charter framework with comparable tuition-free, college-preparatory mission and lottery-based admissions in Delaware.
• EastSide Charter School: Delaware public charter school serving K-8 students in Wilmington through the same state per-pupil funding model and School Choice enrollment funnel, comparable as a regional Delaware charter peer.

Direct peers

• Charter School of Wilmington: Delaware public charter high school focused on college-preparatory academics and AP offerings, serving a similar Delaware K-12 audience through state-funded per-pupil revenue and a centralized School Choice lottery.
• MOT Charter School: Delaware public charter K-12 school providing accelerated college-preparatory curriculum and athletic programs to Delaware families through the same School Choice centralized lottery system.
• Cab Calloway School of the Arts: Delaware public charter school with a specialty focus, operating within the same state charter framework, drawing from the Delaware School Choice pool and serving a similar K-12 demographic in the same state regulatory environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/sussex-academy-of-arts

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sussex Academy Of Arts