State honors Sussex Academy and SDSA for students' academic achievement

Two Sussex County schools were among 13 schools across the state that were honored for their students’ academic achievements.

Sussex Academy was honored as a Reward School, and Southern Delaware School of the Arts from the Indian River School District was honored as a Recognition School during the state’s Reward and Recognition School Awards ceremony held at Dover Air Force Base Middle School.

The awards, presented by Secretary of Education Steven Godowsky, carry an $8,000 prize for each school. Funding for the awards comes from the state's School Improvement funds.

Reward Schools are Title I schools (federal classification based on percentage of low-income population) identified for being either highest performing or high progress. “We are proud to be named the highest-performing school in the state,” said Dr. Patricia Oliphant, Sussex Academy director of curriculum and instruction.

“The fact that the recognition includes prize money is an added bonus. We are working to complete our book collection in our newly constructed library, and these funds will certainly help. All accolades for this honor go to our outstanding teachers and our hard-working students. They live our tagline, Explore - Experience - Excel.” Sussex Academy will use the reward money to purchase books for the new Information Commons/Library.

Recognition Schools are chosen for exceptional performance and/or closing the achievement gap. Both Title I and non-Title I schools can qualify. At Southern Delaware School of the Arts, students participate in high-level, creative thinking on a daily basis. Students perform, translate music, critique art, analyze feelings and expression, and solve real-world challenges. Through a focus on the arts, students quickly become motivated to succeed academically.

The scores last year are a reflection of the students and staff who all put in hours and hours of hard work centered on experiencing learning. Motivating students to enjoy learning and desire knowledge is an emphasis. Students must touch, feel and relate to what they are learning.

Through careful and hard work, the school has created an environment where students want to succeed and where teachers nurture that desire for personal success through relationship. Many of the teachers volunteer extra time with students and their families anytime it will help students accomplish their goals.