Stevenson School of Excellence partners with Richard Allen Coalition

A new educational partnership will give students summer camp opportunities and establish a location for an emerging charter school focused on service learning.

Alonna Berry, chair of the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, said the proposed charter school has joined with the Richard Allen Coalition to provide services in advance of the school’s expected fall 2022 opening.

“We’re really excited about the partnership and being able to provide services for children a lot sooner,” Berry said. “Being in the heart of Georgetown is special. The location is rich with history and steeped in education.”

Berry said summer camps will be geared toward middle school students and will include academic pieces, sports and other activities. 

Jane Hovington, Richard Allen Coalition president, said the partnership fits with the coalition’s purpose to be an asset in the community.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to begin providing educational benefits here in the community,” she said. “The collaboration will address some of the needs in Sussex County.”

Hovington said some renovation of the school, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been completed, while other sections still need to be addressed. The school opened in 1925, one of dozens of colored schools built by philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont; after desegregation, it became part of the Indian River School District, which later closed the school.

The Richard Allen Coalition formed to save the historic building and grounds, and received the school in January 2015 to develop it into a cultural center.

Berry said the building will house the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence for its first years, while a new school is built.

Inspired by social justice activist and lawyer Bryan Stevenson, originally of Milton, the free charter school will first open to ninth- and 10th-graders, and expand over two years to offer grades nine through 12.

“The school will provide real-world, hands-on learning experiences through service opportunities,” Berry said. “It’s a system of matching community service to what the students are learning in their curriculum.”

Berry said partnerships with local nonprofits, community and healthcare organizations will provide real workplace experiences.

“Students will see there is not only a need for these services, but that they have an impact,” Berry said.