Sussex County Schools & Education
Sussex County, Delaware
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
58/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
87.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,133
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,480
School Score
58/100
Higher = better
State avg 62/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#3
of 3 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Sussex County
School Verdict
Sussex County performs at an average level with a school score of 58/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.1%.
Funding Context
Sussex County spends $9,133 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Sussex County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 7% below the Delaware average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Sussex County, Delaware
Primary Education Focus in Southern Delaware
Sussex County's education system consists of 49 schools and 31,516 students distributed among 10 school districts. The landscape is primarily focused on primary education, featuring 25 elementary schools alongside 9 middle and 9 high schools.
Steady Results Across Local School Districts
Graduation rates hold steady at 87.1%, aligning closely with the national average of 87.0%. The county spends $9,133 per pupil, supporting a school score of 56.6 that remains competitive with broader state benchmarks.
Indian River Leads the Local District Mix
Indian River School District is the largest provider, educating 10,799 students across 16 different schools. While charter schools are less frequent here, Sussex Academy serves over 1,100 students as a key alternative for local families.
Rural and Small-Town School Settings
Schools in Sussex offer a distinct rural and small-town feel, with 37 of the 49 schools located in these settings. Despite the rural footprint, the average school size is a substantial 671 students, led by Sussex Central High School's 2,039 enrollees.
Finding Your Place in Sussex County Schools
Homebuyers seeking a town-centered or rural school environment will find Sussex County's 10 districts highly appealing. Consider homes near Cape Henlopen or Indian River to benefit from the county's largest and most established educational networks.
School Overview
Total Schools
49
in Sussex County
Total Enrollment
31,516
students
School Districts
10
districts
Charter Schools
2
4% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
10 School Districts in Sussex County
Indian River School District
Cape Henlopen School District
Milford School District
Seaford School District
Laurel School District
Woodbridge School District
Delmar School District
Sussex Technical School District
Sussex Academy
Sussex Montessori School
49 Public Schools in Sussex County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex Central High School | Indian River School District | 9–12 | High | 2,039 |
| Cape Henlopen High School | Cape Henlopen School District | 9–12 | High | 1,813 |
| Sussex Technical High School | Sussex Technical School District | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,292 |
| Laurel Elementary School | Laurel School District | 1–6 | Primary | 1,124 |
| Sussex Academy | Sussex Academy | KG–12 | Charter | 1,118 |
| Indian River High School | Indian River School District | 9–12 | High | 1,088 |
| Georgetown Middle School | Indian River School District | 6–8 | Middle | 885 |
| Seaford Senior High School | Seaford School District | 9–12 | High | 879 |
| Georgetown Elementary School | Indian River School District | PK–5 | Primary | 840 |
| Seaford Middle School | Seaford School District | 6–8 | Middle | 828 |
| East Millsboro Elementary School | Indian River School District | KG–5 | Primary | 815 |
| North Georgetown Elementary School | Indian River School District | PK–5 | Primary | 774 |
| Millsboro Middle School | Indian River School District | 6–8 | Middle | 771 |
| Delmar Middle School | Delmar School District | 5–8 | Middle | 757 |
| Laurel Senior High School | Laurel School District | 9–12 | High | 747 |
| Woodbridge High School | Woodbridge School District | 9–12 | High | 723 |
| Selbyville Middle School | Indian River School District | 6–8 | Middle | 719 |
| Long Neck Elementary School | Indian River School District | KG–5 | Primary | 693 |
| Delmar High School | Delmar School District | 9–12 | High | 670 |
| Ross (Lulu M.) Elementary School | Milford School District | 1–5 | Primary | 668 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,133
State avg $9,480
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Sussex County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Sussex County?
How much does Sussex County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Sussex County, Delaware — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Sussex County, Delaware?
Sussex County's education system consists of 49 schools and 31,516 students distributed among 10 school districts. The landscape is primarily focused on primary education, featuring 25 elementary schools alongside 9 middle and 9 high schools.
How do schools in Sussex County perform academically?
Graduation rates hold steady at 87.1%, aligning closely with the national average of 87.0%. The county spends $9,133 per pupil, supporting a school score of 56.6 that remains competitive with broader state benchmarks.
What are the major school districts in Sussex County, Delaware?
Indian River School District is the largest provider, educating 10,799 students across 16 different schools. While charter schools are less frequent here, Sussex Academy serves over 1,100 students as a key alternative for local families.
What is the school experience like in Sussex County?
Schools in Sussex offer a distinct rural and small-town feel, with 37 of the 49 schools located in these settings. Despite the rural footprint, the average school size is a substantial 671 students, led by Sussex Central High School's 2,039 enrollees.
How can I find homes near good schools in Sussex County, Delaware?
Homebuyers seeking a town-centered or rural school environment will find Sussex County's 10 districts highly appealing. Consider homes near Cape Henlopen or Indian River to benefit from the county's largest and most established educational networks.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.