Sussex Academy school with first senior class announces new staff
Sussex Academy opened its doors Aug. 29 for the first day of an exciting new school year. Some 700 students are enrolled for the 2016-17 academic school year, and Sussex Academy will celebrate its first high school graduation. Of the 40 graduating seniors, 17 will be graduating in June 2017 with both Delaware and International Baccalaureate diplomas.
For 2016, Sussex Academy is ranked first in the state in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium tests for middle school English language arts and second in the state for middle school math. The 10th grade is ranked first in the state in the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System in social studies. The seniors scored second in the state in English and fourth in the state in math on the Standardized Aptitude Test.
Construction of the new middle school wing is near completion. The 30,000-square-foot wing has 12 classrooms, three science labs, offices and a multipurpose room. The multipurpose room will be used for the middle school physical education classes, team expedition showcases and middle school team-wide meetings and activities. Its middle school basketball-regulation size court is suitable for high school volleyball games.
Construction on an aquatic center, a gift to the school from Schell Brothers, is scheduled for completion by October.
Sussex Academy announced several new teachers have joined the faculty this year.
Andrea Davis is teaching high school literature. Coming from the Laurel School District, this year will mark her eighth year of teaching in Delaware. Prior to teaching she worked as a writer, research proofreader and artist. With her bachelor of arts in dual concentrations in biology and English literature and dual master's degrees in education and special education, Davis is currently in her second year of pursuing her doctorate in literacy, curriculum and instruction with a focus on literacy technology and global communications. Davis resides in Salisbury, Md., with her husband and two children.
Josh Bowe is teaching social studies. A graduate of the University of Delaware, he has been teaching for 15 years. Coming from teaching social studies for the last eight years in the Woodbridge School District, Bowe has also taught in Colorado and New Jersey. He resides in Seaford with his wife and three children.
Carrie Curry is the new part-time geometry teacher. As a graduate of the University of Delaware, she is currently pursuing her master's degree from Wilmington University. Curry also teaches Academic Challenge and math for Teachers at Delaware Technical Community College. She resides in Lewes with her three children and her dog.
Greg Criniti is teaching STEM. A graduate from West Virginia Tech, which is now part of West Virgina University, he has his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Criniti became a teacher after working for 20 years in industry. Now in his 13th year of teaching, he is certified in mathematics and physics, and has a master's in education from Gratz College. Criniti resides in Easton, Md., with his wife and 13-year-old twin children.
Dr. Suzanne E. Donovan is the new part-time high school psychology teacher. She is also an adjunct professor of psychology at Wilmington University. She attended Moravian College for her bachelor of arts degree, Chestnut Hill College for her master's degree and Wilmington College for her doctorate. Donovan resides in Milford with her retired naval officer husband and three dogs. She has eight sons, 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with another one on the way.
Stephanie Sherman is the new part-time ninth-grade health and integrated science teacher. She recently relocated to Lewes with her husband and twin 4-year-old sons from Spring Lake, Mich., where she spent the last seven years teaching high school environmental science and chemistry.
In addition, Steve Bastianelli has been hired as the new athletic director.
"We are looking forward to a great school year," said Dr. Patricia Oliphant, director of curriculum and instruction. "We are excited to have our first graduating class, to have reached enrollment of 700 and to see the results of the four-year construction project."
Sussex Academy is a public charter, tuition-free school in Georgetown. For more information, contact Gina Derrickson at gina.derrickson@saas.k12.de.us.
