Sussex School

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Sussex School was nominated

Sussex emphasizes the whole learner in that in addition to academics they have strong programming in outdoor education and the arts. They have daily, weekly, yearly routines that foster strong community and culture. They are continuing to push their own boundaries and assumptions to grow and iterate on their established practices.

Student experience design

At Sussex School, the student experience is intentionally designed to cultivate engaged, empowered learners who see themselves as capable contributors to their communities and the world. Rooted in a progressive philosophy, students are not passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in shaping their learning—driven by curiosity, voice, and purpose. Students experience learning as hands-on, interdisciplinary, and deeply connected to real-world contexts. Through projects, the arts, outdoor education, and collaborative inquiry, they are consistently asked to think critically, create, problem-solve, and present ideas that matter. Equally important, the experience is relationship-based and grounded in belonging. Students are known, valued, and supported as whole people. Social-emotional learning is not a standalone program, but woven into daily life—helping students build self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and the skills to navigate complex human dynamics. As we continue to evolve, we are intentionally deepening this experience through a competency-based approach, where learning is personalized and growth is measured by demonstrated understanding and transferable skills rather than time or coverage. This allows us to better meet the needs of every learner—ensuring that each student is appropriately challenged, supported, and able to progress along an individualized pathway. Ultimately, the Sussex student experience is designed to develop not only strong thinkers and creators, but confident, courageous, and compassionate individuals—young people who are prepared to lead meaningful lives and contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Competency/mastery-based Education	Less than a year
Multi-age Classrooms	5+ years
Restorative Practices	3-4 years
SEL Integration School-wide	1-2 years
Students Develop Projects	Less than a year

All Practices

Blended Learning

Co-leadership

Extended Learning Time

Mental Health Services

Project-based Learning

SEL Curriculum

Service Learning

Student-led Conferences

key reasons for innovating

Artifacts

What an 8th-Grade Defense Taught Me About Competency-Based Learning