By Mike McClure
The Delmarva Christian Schools held a groundbreaking last Tuesday for a $30 million expansion project to bring together their schools in Milton and Georgetown on one campus, at the high school site in Georgetown. The Stronger Together Capital Campaign has raised more than $28.5 million in donations for the project.
The project will include a new 60,000 square foot middle and high school facility; a new 12,000 square for Early Learning Center for PreKindergarten programs; and a renovation of the existing high school, transforming it into the future home of Delmarva Christian Elementary School.
“We pause today to celebrate but also to remember the journey we took to get here,” said Delmarva Christian Head of School Matt Kwiatkowski, who added that the board decided to do a feasibility study three years ago. “To watch how the Lord has moved after these past three years has been incredible.”
Delmarva Christian Board President Marlene Brown said the idea for a regional Christian high school began in the late 1990’s. The school was to serve Sussex County and beyond. Current board member Lynn Moore is the only member of the original board that is still on the board.
Delmarva Christian High School had six graduates in 2005 and 42 graduates this year. Over 760 students have graduated from the school in its history.
Delmarva Christian High School, originally built on Airport Road in Georgetown, but took part in a public-private school swap with Sussex Academy. The move allowed Delmarva Christian to complete its mortgage, start an endowment for the future and build an arts and athletic center at the high school.
In 2015, Delmarva Christian spoke with Eagle’s Nest Church in Milton, which started an educational opportunity at its facility. Delmarva Christian later located an early learning center, elementary school, and middle school at the Milton church.
Now, Delmarva Christian has outgrown the space and Eagle’s Nest needs, causing a need for Delmarva Christian’s Milton campus to be moved.
“This is very surreal to be at this point and this moment in the journey,” Director of Advancement Justin Savini said.
He added that Delmarva Christian raised over $15 million for the project in the first year. The schools also needed to get permission for the planned work from the FFA because of the land’s proximity to the county airport.
Savini said just under $29 million was raised over the past three years with another $3-5 million needed to be raised to be debt free and not need to raise tuition. The bidding process was recently completed with the project coming in $4-5 million under the estimate.
Site work will be done over the summer so that the school can open its doors for the new school year on Aug. 27. Construction of the project is expected to take 18 months with a projected move in date of summer of 2027 and opening in fall 2027. At that time, the Delmarva Christian campus in Georgetown will be open for ages two years old to the 12th grade.
