Sussex Academy

Posted: June 8, 2026

In our experience, Sussex Academy’s culture is cliquey, small-minded, and far too focused on image over accountability.

The administration is the core issue. They do not address concerns on a substantive level. Too often, legitimate questions are met with defensiveness, vague responses, or process-driven avoidance instead of clear answers and meaningful action.

The school also does not adequately protect students who are bullied, excluded, or socially targeted. Families should be cautious if their student needs advocacy, accommodations, fairness, or adults willing to intervene when the environment becomes hostile.

A school should protect students, apply standards consistently, and answer legitimate questions directly. Sussex Academy did not inspire confidence in any of those areas. I would not recommend it.

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Posted: May 29, 2025

Sadistic staff and poor education. As a former student, I am in therapy 10 years later, still dealing with the trauma that was inflicted upon me at this institution. Additionally, at the time, when I transfered away from here and went to public school, I was behind my public school peers academically and had to catch up to them.

Posted: May 29, 2025

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Posted: November 3, 2024

They have a great atmosphere with great teachers and staff, who care and know to take teach new stuff everyday. This is a great academic school for both education activities.
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Posted: November 3, 2024

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Posted: May 3, 2021

They Have really nice staff I really get along with the nice 5th teachers

Posted: May 3, 2021

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Posted: February 13, 2019

They are unfair in there grading and most teachers do not show that they want the kids to pass

Posted: February 13, 2019

They intend to but make the kids want to disobey even more

Posted: February 13, 2019

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Posted: February 13, 2019

I do not recommend this school for your average student, or even your smarter students, they do usually treat fairly in grading systems

Posted: January 16, 2019

Varies by teacher and by subject and by grade.

Posted: January 16, 2019

Teachers in both the middle school and high school, especially the math department, are extremely dedicated to their work and their students.

Posted: January 16, 2019

Under the leadership of the administration, the school has a fabulous atmosphere and the students are almost charismatic.

Posted: January 16, 2019

With the new director in 2018, Sussex Academy will definitely be a leader among schools.

Posted: January 16, 2019

Using an open lottery, Sussex Academy has students of all ranges in abilities, and teach them all with love and attention.

Posted: January 16, 2019

Virtually not a problem, but dealt with extremely effectively by the administration.

Posted: January 16, 2019

Extremely high, thanks to the great facility, administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Posted: May 28, 2015

Read the 1 star reviews to find the truth. This school will lead your child into a downward spiral of depression and stress, success being dangled in front of their face and quickly withdrawn. Hardwork results in a C, with overachievers getting good grades. If college is like this (school) I don't want to go to college.

Posted: May 28, 2015

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Posted: March 23, 2015

I am a current student as Sussex Academy, and have been at this school since 6th grade and plan to stay for the rest of my high school career. I have moved a few times, trying out a different school system whether it be public, private, or any system in between. There has never, ever been a time I have even THOUGHT about going to another school. The community between the students and teachers is beyond amazing and the trips and games and intense learning we do is something I would hate to its out on. I have siblings who went to public schools for highschool, now in college, and every one of their friends and themselves had wished they had gone to SA for middle and high school. I have friends from other schools who ask me if I'm worried if i am missing out on the normal Hugh school experience. But is missing out in norms necessarily a bad thing? This school is the best thing I know, and I will continue to love it throughout my highschool career.

Posted: September 15, 2014

I am a parent of a student who was fortunate to get into this school for grade 7. She is neither an athlete nor a straight A student. She is, however, thriving and learning more than we could have imagined based on her 6th grade year at our community middle school. The biggest difference is the social aspect of the school as all of the students are respectful and kind to one another and the teachers and administrators intervene quickly if they are not. She is definitely being prepared for high school and will be attending Sussex Academy High School. She is always smiling when I pick her up at the bus stop. She loves all of her teachers and spent her summer looking forward to being in eighth grade. The entire staff is welcoming and helpful whenever I need assistance. My daughter's best friend was in grade 8 last year so I am very familiar with the bullying issue that other reviewers are referencing and the school handled it quickly and effectively. My daughter and her friends have never felt unsafe at the school.

Posted: July 19, 2014

I have been going to Sussex Academy school from 6th to 8th grade. Bullying in this school happens everyday, not just to me but every around me. I am glad to be leaving this school this year. If i had to redo these last 3 years of my life, I would had never let my parents send me to this school. Some teachers care but others don't teach what needs to be learn. It is honestly sad in my opinion, teachers need to step in and stop the bullying. The teachers yell at students for very little things and it isn't fair. This school is unfair and unsafe really. I wish I never went here for middle school. I am so happy to leave this year, you have no idea. Word of advice DONT SEND YOUR KIDS HERE.

Posted: June 4, 2014

Challenging curriculum/lots of homework: absolutely. But SA doesn't mislead anyone applying for admission about this fact. It's manageable, and teaches the kids time management and organizational skills. Bullying: I think the unfortunate truth is that bullying will happen in any school environment. It has not been an issue with my student personally. Based on the (few) stories I've heard from my kid, I think that SA does the best it can to manage any situations they are aware of. Parental Involvement: Not greatly encouraged. But, the teachers have been terrifically responsive any time I've contacted them. I do think it's fair to say, and my student has observed, that many of the teachers do favor the popular/athletic/"good" students. I chalk this up as a life lesson, and still encourage my kid to do the best she can. Music department is outstanding. Extracurricular opportunities are vast. My child is in a challenging, encouraging environment that will set her up to become a productive, successful part of the real world. I have no regrets about sending her here.

Posted: April 21, 2014

I have noticed people are saying that the school doesn't joudge because we wear uniforms but the truth is that we get judged by our shoes or hair ties or even hair styles. The school has way to many rich people and way too little african american or oreantal students. The school is a shame it is unfair, rough, underminding, even turns people into criminals (yes we have had cops come a few times that I have noticed in my three years) the school isn't all bad for the curriculum but if people would stop being arrogant and bullies and even refusing to get rid of bullies then it would be excellent. Bottom line, if you want your kid to excel in learning but don't care about their mental state then send them here!

Posted: April 5, 2014

This charter school should be INVESTIGATED. Work load is accelerated, organization is an absolute must, homework is more than other schools and grading system is totally biased. Nothing exemplary about the atmosphere! Bullying is VERY evident, both from the teachers and students. Too much is ignored. If your child is not an "A" student and an athlete, do not accept this farce of a lottery. There is no diversity of any kind here. No special consideration made for any child that requires a learning plan, or simply cannot keep up. Your child's self esteem will not be nurtured unless they fit in the mold. Parent participation and communication is non-existent. The evidence speaks for itself. The withdrawal rate is enormous throughout the year and does not concern the administration at all. Only the prize students are wanted here.

Posted: April 5, 2014

This school is absoutely terrible. Not so much as the work, but the social atmosphere. Bullying is a definite problem, the athletes and 'A' students are favoritized, and some of the teachers are simply awful. The majority of the teachers get angry over petty things. Sure, this school may be advanced, but it is not worth the un-kind teachers, administrators, and students.

Posted: April 1, 2014

Sussex Academy is EXEMPLARY! Definitely a preparatory school. The content is challenging, engaging and hands on. The rules are strict and adhered to. The teachers are knowledgeable and dedicated. The whole school is a community. No clicks here. In fact the kids are very accepting of differences, yet friendly. NO BULLYING HERE! The music department is top notch. The theater arts is fantastic. ***way too much homework*** we have many nights with 3+ hrs; however, my student has become impress-ably independent, organized and confident.*** they have a frustrating method for retaining completed work. Each night they glue new work and assignments into binders. No loose papers. The problem is... a 51.24lb book bag. My pediatrician is considering a formal complaint. We have dealt with this by purchasing a rolling backpack. Be sure to budget for a good one. Lunches are very good and a decent size. The dress code is adhered to. Be sure to purchase adequate changes. For a while I was constantly doing laundry with just 3 sets of uniforms. SPORTS! You will never find more diversity in a school this size. Something for everyone. They allocate a lot of money to extra curricular activities.GREAT

Posted: July 31, 2013

Sussex Academy is the school my daughter chose to go after shadowing at 6 private high schools! This is Sussex Academy first year offering High School and so far I am impress by how welcoming the staff has been to students and parents. Soon after my daughter's acceptance in April there has been constant contact which has made my daughter feel so comfortable starting high school!

Posted: January 6, 2013

I agree with other parents who stated that parental involvement is discouraged. Also, the teachers aren't kid or parent friendly. I hated having my child feel so intimidated by teachers. I don't think this is the best learning environment. Students should feel at ease to ask questions, not feel they will be "yelled at" for asking. And the focus should be on learning, not the little piddly things they make huge deals out of. Teachers and administrators feel they are a step above everyone else. This school was horrible for my child's self esteem, which is why I pulled her out after seventh grade. She is now thriving and learning in a school where she is respected and cared about in the most positive way.

Posted: September 4, 2012

Best school in this geographical area. Students are eager, curious, optimistic but most of all, proud of their own individual achievements in which they demonstrate in their personal portfolios. This school really enforces the principles of independent, critical and creative thinking into their educational curriculum. This school is an Expeditionary Learning school that reflects educational values and beliefs. As an older parent, watching my child grow as a student over the past three years has been extremely rewarding and has been an amazing experience for both myself and my child.

Posted: April 26, 2012

Great program and administration, students first rate and dedicated. However, few good teachers and some are terrible; arbitrary grading, where excellent, hard work can earn C or worse; parental involvement discouraged. Frustrating and overrated.