Seaford School District's 'Race To The Top' For Success - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SEAFORD, Del. - Five to ten million dollars is at stake, and the Seaford School district is competing against more than 400 other schools to get it. Officials say they've seen major improvements in student learning with their New Tech Academy Program, but need more money to expand.

"I couldn't keep up with my work, but now I'm getting B's, C's and A's," said Elijah Holbrook, a sophomore at Seaford high School.

That's the kind of improvement the Seaford School District has seen since implementing The New Tech Academy, the only one on the Eastern Shore. It's a program focused on deeper learning through modern-day technology.

"Students' attendance is higher. We've actually seen the state assessment scores, DCASS, increase," said Dr. Albert DuPont, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Accountability.

Students in 9th, 10th and 11th grade are enrolled in these combined, co-taught classes. Instead of the traditional classroom setting, they work in groups. It's as cut-throat as the real world, where the students have the ability to fire one another.

"You begin to get these skills like collaboration skills, work ethic, oral communication and content," said Holbrook.

"Last year in Bio/Lit, one of the things they did is a CSI unit, while the students read The Lovely Bones. They also worked on what had been a launch for them, which was an activity where someone was murdered," said Dr. Stephanie Smith, Director of Human Resources.

Now they want all students to have that same opportunity, which is why they're applying for the Race To The Top Grant, where more than $5 million is up for grabs.

The first meeting is Monday night at Seaford Middle School. It starts at 7 p.m. There will be an open discussion about what skills, parents want their children to have, once they graduate from high school. There will be another meeting on October 22nd, same place, same time.

They must submit the application by October 30th.