Federal grants are helping fund the start of a new charter school in Sussex County.
The USDA Office of Rural Development is loaning $7.6 million to Sussex Montessori charter school.
The funds were secured through Sen. Tom Carper’s office - will refurbish a barn to create a schoolhouse with 10 mixed age classrooms.
“There’s a house on the property that will be refurbished as well for offices and the nurse’s office and whatnot,” said head of school Lisa Coldiron. “All the infrastructure. All the driveway and the parking will be covered by that.”
Students will learn using the Montessori Method of Education with three-hour learning blocks throughout the day. Coldiron says the school plans to eventually add farm animals and gardens to help teach students.
Sussex Montessori aims to draw students from western Sussex County. It will launch with 260 K-3 seats next fall, adding a new grade each following year up to the sixth grade. Total enrollment is expected to top out at 455 students.
Sussex Academy in Georgetown is currently the only charter school operating in Sussex County.