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Very Good

#44 of 219 schools in DE

Top 20% in state

Sussex Central High School

High School · Indian River School District

26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE 19947

Enrollment

2,012

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Georgetown

#1 of 7

public schools

Delaware high schools

#11 of 42

In district

#2 of 15

Indian River School District

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Sussex Central High School

Sussex Central High School serves 2,012 students in grades 9-12 in Georgetown, Delaware, making it one of the larger high schools in Sussex County. With 140 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. The school is working to improve academic outcomes, with current performance showing room for growth.

Twenty-eight percent of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 20% achieve proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. Sussex Central ranks 159th among Delaware's 220 high schools, indicating the school community is focused on advancing student achievement and college readiness. The school draws from a diverse socioeconomic community where the median household income is $65,635 and median home value reaches $274,500.

About 18% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15% of families experience poverty, reflecting the varied backgrounds students bring to their educational experience. Sussex Central High School sits on Patriots Way in a rural setting near Georgetown, providing students with a small-town atmosphere while still offering the resources and opportunities that come with being part of a larger school community in Delaware's agricultural heartland.

What Parents Should Know

Sussex Central High School is a large school with 2,012 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Located in a rural area, Sussex Central High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,680

Sussex Central High School — Students at Sussex Central High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from DE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
28%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Sussex Central High School Compares

See how Sussex Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
80th percentile in DE
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
7% participation·41 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown, DE 19947

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sussex Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Indian River High School (rated 6.9/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Dagsboro), with a comparable rating. Another option is DELMARVA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sussex Technical High School (rated 5.3/10, 6.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Georgetown, see our Georgetown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ennis (Howard T.) School Georgetown 0.2 mi 6.8
Millsboro Middle School Millsboro 3.5 mi 5.4
DELMARVA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Georgetown 3.7 mi 6.3
East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro 4.0 mi 4.6
Sussex Academy Georgetown 5.1 mi 6.8
Georgetown Elementary School Georgetown 5.1 mi 5.8
Georgetown Middle School Georgetown 5.1 mi 4.7
North Georgetown Elementary School Georgetown 6.5 mi 4.2
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro 6.9 mi 7.1
Sussex Technical High School Georgetown 6.3 mi 5.3
Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford 8.1 mi 5.8
Indian River High School Dagsboro 8.0 mi 6.9
Mariner Middle School Milton 9.3 mi 7.2
Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro 7.6 mi 4.1
Milton Elementary School Milton 9.8 mi 8.1
H. O. Brittingham Elementary School Milton 10.4 mi 8.2
Sussex Consortium Lewes 9.7 mi 6.6
EPWORTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Laurel 9.3 mi 5.9
DELMARVA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS MILTON CAMPUS Milton 12.4 mi 6.8
Love Creek Elementary School Lewes 11.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19947 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,529

Median Home Value

$294,000

Median Rent

$1,298/mo

Population

19,343

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

28.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sussex Central High School has a median household income of $68,529. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,000, with a median rent of $1,298/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Christiana High School Newark, DE 7.3
Delcastle Technical High School Wilmington, DE 7.3
Middletown High School Middletown, DE 7.3
Appoquinimink High School Middletown, DE 7.5
Smyrna High School Smyrna, DE 6.9
Caesar Rodney High School Camden, DE 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sussex Central High School

What grades does Sussex Central High School serve?

Sussex Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sussex Central High School?

Sussex Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,012 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sussex Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sussex Central High School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sussex Central High School rank in DE?

Sussex Central High School is ranked #44 out of 219 schools in DE.

What is Sussex Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sussex Central High School has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sussex Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sussex Central High School has 21.3% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sussex Central High School a charter school?

No, Sussex Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sussex Central High School a Title I school?

No, Sussex Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,692/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Georgetown). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,012
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
140
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Sussex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Indian River School District
District Enrollment
10,786
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,367
District Rank
#2 of 15

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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