Summary:
Zip code 19947, serving the Georgetown, Delaware area, is home to 2 high schools that together educate 3,353 students in grades 9-12: Sussex Central High School and Sussex Technical High School.
These two schools offer vastly different experiences and outcomes. Sussex Technical High School is the clear standout, posting a 95.6% graduation rate that is nearly 7 points above the state average, a remarkably low 1.3% dropout rate, and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.2%—the lowest in the area and far below the state's 17.1%. Its academic performance is also strong, with proficiency rates in ELA (43.22%), science (37.58%), and social studies (26.84%) that either meet or exceed state averages. In contrast, Sussex Central High School faces significant challenges, with a graduation rate of only 79.3%, a dropout rate of 8.6%, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 33.4%—meaning one in three students is chronically absent. Its academic proficiency rates lag behind state averages in most subjects, though it does post a higher math proficiency (14.73%) than Sussex Technical (11.36%).
The data suggests that the career-focused model at Sussex Technical, which also benefits from higher per-student spending ($18,289 vs. $14,583), is driving stronger engagement and results. Sussex Technical, part of the Sussex Technical School District, has shown consistent year-over-year improvement in its state ranking, while Sussex Central, under the Indian River School District, has seen a recent decline, including an 8-point drop in ELA proficiency in a single year. For parents, the choice is stark: Sussex Technical offers a highly engaging, successful environment, while Sussex Central presents a larger, more traditional school that is currently struggling with student engagement and academic performance.
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