ASPIRA Academy: 1st Spanish immersion school to open in Sussex Co. in Fall ‘26

GEORGETOWN – Sussex County will have its very first Spanish immersion school as Las Américas ASPIRA Academy will open its third location in September 2026.

“It’s definitely an honor to be able to create the school in Sussex,” said Margie López Waite, co-founder and CEO of the charter school. “The community approached us with this opportunity and have expressed to us and all of our interactions with the public and with the community as a whole indicated this is something that they’ve wanted for a long time.”

Las Américas ASPIRA Academy opened its doors in August 2011 with just over 300 students in grades K-5, and it now serves over 1,400 students in grades K-12 across two campuses in Newark, about 15 minutes apart.

In ASPIRA’s immersion model, students learn in English or Spanish for the entire day, depending if it’s an “A Day” or “B Day.”

Another popular immersion model is splitting a single day into two languages.

About 75% of ASPIRA’s students are Hispanic or Latino, according to Delaware State Report Card data. 35% of students are English learners.

“The community is very excited about having their children not only continue to get assimilate to their life here in the United States, but they like the idea that their children will be able to maintain their first language as they’re acquiring English, and also be able to continue to maintain their traditions and their culture,” López Waite said.

She said unfortunately, in the current climate of the country, even though it may not be the intention, it feels that sometimes Hispanics and Latinos have to sacrifice their native language and their culture in order for their children to be able to be successful living here in the United States. 

“So this sort of creates an opportunity for them to truly be able to embrace both, and we’re also looking forward to not just the impact that we can make with the students that are involved in our school, but their families as well in the community as a whole,” she said. 

In August 2023, ASPIRA opened its new high school after years of leasing a warehouse from a local church to operate a school.

RELATED: ASPIRA shows off new high school serving Latino students

The new school was authorized Jan. 16, and it will become the First State’s 25th charter school, and fourth in Sussex. 

ASPIRA meeting a community need

“We are excited that ASPIRA Delaware is able to fill a need that was requested by the community in Sussex County,” said Kendall Massett, executive director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network. “The idea behind charter schools is to meet the specific needs and desires of the communities they serve.”

Massett said ASPIRA is the embodiment of that vision, providing a tailored educational experience that reflects the unique values and priorities of Sussex County. 

The charter offers literacy classes for the adults of its students’ families.

“We extend our reach beyond just a student,” López Waite said. 

The new building will have a phased-in approach, serving about 200 students in kindergarten through second-grade students and adding a grade level each school year up through fifth grade, with a capacity of about 500 students.

López Waite will be the head of the school for a year or two before transitioning to a new leadership team, which is what she did with the current high school in Newark. 

The Georgetown location will be 107 Depot Street. 

“This school not only answers the call for more educational options but also creates a safe space where students can thrive and grow according to their individual needs and aspirations,” Massett said. 

A February meeting is in the works, with time and location TBA, to engage the public, update prospective ASPIRA families on timelines and progress, and foster support and excitement for the Georgetown charter.

Click here for updates and news on the school. 

López Waite said the hope has always been to replicate and bring dual language immersion to all three counties in the First State.