Delaware Regional Spelling Bee
Celebrating literacy, inspiring achievement, and bringing Delaware together.
Showcasing Excellence in Delaware Schools
The Delaware Regional Spelling Bee is a statewide celebration of student achievement that brings together students, families, educators, schools, businesses, community organizations, and public leaders from across Delaware.
Each year, students in grades 4–8 compete for the opportunity to represent Delaware at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Along the way, the Bee creates a statewide stage for academic achievement while building connections among the people and organizations invested in Delaware’s students.
Whether you’re a school, family, sponsor, or community partner, there’s a place for you at the bee.
About the Bee
The Delaware Regional Spelling Bee is the official statewide qualifying competition for students in grades 4–8. Students from public district schools, charter schools, private schools, and the homeschool community compete for the opportunity to represent Delaware at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
But the Bee is about more than one day of competition. It gives students the opportunity to have their hard work recognized on a statewide stage while bringing together families, educators, schools, businesses, community organizations, and public leaders in celebration of student achievement.
First State Educate’s goal is to continue expanding participation across Delaware while delivering a polished, memorable experience for every student and family involved.
Creating Opportunity for Delaware Students
The Delaware Regional Spelling Bee gives students the opportunity to challenge themselves, celebrate their hard work, and represent their schools and communities on a statewide stage.
Through the Bee, students have the opportunity to:
Demonstrate academic achievement
Challenge themselves through competition
Be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments
Represent their schools and communities
Compete for the opportunity to represent Delaware nationally
First State Educate is working to expand participation so that even more students and schools across Delaware can be part of the experience.
Statewide Impact: Bringing Delaware Together
Few educational events bring together as many communities as the Delaware Regional Spelling Bee.
The Bee welcomes participation from:
Public school districts
Charter schools
Private schools
Homeschool communities
Families and caregivers
Community organizations
Business leaders and sponsors
Together, these partners turn the Bee into more than a competition. They create a statewide celebration of student achievement while building stronger connections among Delaware’s students, families, schools, businesses, community organizations, and leaders.
Become a Sponsor
Invest in Delaware's Students
The Delaware Regional Spelling Bee offers companies an opportunity to stand behind student effort, learning, and excellence across an entire state.
First State Educate makes the Bee possible through significant organizational and financial investment. Corporate partners help us expand participation, engage more schools and families, deliver an exceptional statewide competition, recognize academic achievement publicly, and support Delaware’s champion on the journey to the national stage.
Title Partner $50,000
Exclusive naming rights for the event
Speaking opportunity during the Bee
Premier logo placement on event materials
Featured profile in program and media campaign
Presenting Partner $25,000
Prominent logo placement
Recognition in media and social campaigns
Opportunity to distribute branded materials
Supporting Partner $10,000
Logo placement on event website and program
Event recognition opportunities
Program acknowledgment
Community Partner $5,000
Company recognition on event website and program
Social media recognition
Friend of the Bee $1,000
Company name listed on event website and program
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
We welcome conversations with companies interested in developing a partnership aligned with their education, workforce, community engagement, or corporate citizenship goals.
Bring the Bee to your Students
School-based spelling bees are the first step in a student's journey to the Delaware Regional Spelling Bee.
First State Educate is working to expand participation across Delaware, welcoming public district schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschool students from communities throughout the state.
Participating schools conduct their own school-level competitions in accordance with Scripps requirements. Each qualifying school champion then has the opportunity to advance to Delaware’s statewide competition.
Join schools across Delaware in celebrating literacy, academic excellence, and student achievement.
A Day Students Will Never Forget
During last year’s Bee on March 7, 2026, 57 school champions from across Delaware took the stage at Delaware Technical Community College for the Delaware Regional Spelling Bee. More than 300 students, families, educators, community leaders, and supporters came together to celebrate academic achievement and cheer on Delaware’s students.
The program opened with remarks from Governor Matt Meyer, Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay, Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, Senator Dan Cruce, Senator Laura Sturgeon, Representative Kamela Smith, and Senator Eric Buckson. The event was hosted by Blake Saunders and featured an inspiring address by Jasmyn Wright, founder and CEO of the Push Through Organization.
The competition was guided by Pronouncer Dr. Nadya Pincus of the University of Delaware and a distinguished panel of judges: Dr. Amber Battle-Winston (United Way of Delaware), Shelby Borst (2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year), Logan Herring (The WRK Group), Stacy Lane (Laurel Public Library), Samanta Lopez (Delaware Technical Community College), Julia Merola (Spotlight Delaware), Councilman Gerald Rocha (City of Dover), and Jon Sheehan (State Board of Education).
First Place: Siara H., Islamic Academy
Second Place: Nathan L., Delaware Valley Classical School
Third Place: Brandon Z., North Star Elementary School, Red Clay
From the moment students arrive, the Delaware Regional Spelling Bee is designed to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments.
Students are recognized alongside their peers, supported by their families and educators, and given the opportunity to compete in a professional, high-quality event experience.
Whether they are stepping onto the stage for the first time or advancing through the rounds, every participant leaves knowing their dedication and achievement matters.
Growing the Bee Across Delaware
In 2026, 57 school champions from across Delaware competed on the statewide stage. In 2027, First State Educate is working to grow participation even further and welcome more schools and students from communities throughout the state.
Our goal is to expand representation across Delaware’s public school districts while continuing to grow participation among charter schools, private schools, and the homeschool community.
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Dover Air Force Base Middle School
Fred Fifer Iii Middle School
Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School
Star Hill Elementary School
Magnolia Middle School
Allen Frear Elementary School
Major George Welch Elementary School
W B Simpson Elementary School
W Reily Brown Elementary School
David E Robinson Elementary School
F Neil Postlethwait Middle School
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Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Hanby Elementary School
Lancashire Elementary School
David W Harlan Elementary School
Claymont Elementary School
Lombardy Elementary School
Maple Lane Elementary School
Forwood Elementary School
Carrcroft Elementary School
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Islamic Academy Of Delaware
Delaware Valley Classical School
Fairwinds Christian School
Caravel Academy
Red Lion Christian Academy
Legacy Academy
Saint Anne's Episcopal School
Ursuline Academy
Hockessin Montessori School
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Smyrna Middle School
Clayton Intermediate School
Clayton Elementary School
John Bassett Moore Intermediate School
Sunnyside Elementary School
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Rehoboth Elementary School
Milton Elementary School
Love Creek Elementary School
Lewes Elementary School
Mariner Middle School
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Saint Ann School
Saint Mary Magdalen School
Saint Anthony Of Padua School
Christ The Teacher Catholic School
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Mispillion Elementary School
Lulu M Ross Elementary School
Milford Middle School
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Thurgood Marshall Elementary School
Henry M Brader Elementary School
R Elisabeth Maclary Elementary School
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Academy Of Dover Charter School
Providence Creek Academy Charter School
Odyssey Charter School
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Everett Meredith Middle School
Alfred G Waters Middle School
Louis L Redding Middle School
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North Star Elementary School
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W T Chipman Middle School