Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island · Photo: Michael Swanda, U.S. Army Corps of Enginers · Public domainDelaware City’s public schools score below 74% of Delaware State districts on tests and graduation
In Delaware City, 14% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Delaware State average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Delaware City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Delaware State, not nationally.
From Delaware state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Delaware City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 38 Delaware State towns with household incomes within a quarter of Delaware City’s, its schools beat 8%, lower than their 26% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 14% in math, against 42% and 29% statewide; 91% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Delaware State. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $23,840 per student, against $22,312 across Delaware State (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Delaware City’s grade
C: better than 26% of Delaware State school districts. Both inputs trail the Delaware State average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Delaware City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Delaware City
The Colwyck Center
Grades PK · 222 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
6th grade in Delaware City · depends on your address
Bedford (Gunning) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 846 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
Read (George) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 662 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
McCullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
7th grade in Delaware City · depends on your address
Bedford (Gunning) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 846 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
Read (George) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 662 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
McCullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
8th grade in Delaware City · depends on your address
Bedford (Gunning) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 846 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
Read (George) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 662 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
McCullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
9th grade in Delaware City
Penn (William) High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,069 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
10th grade in Delaware City
Penn (William) High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,069 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
11th grade in Delaware City
Penn (William) High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,069 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
12th grade in Delaware City
Penn (William) High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,069 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in New Castle
Delaware City’s public schools are run by Colonial School District, which also serves New Castle and Wilmington. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Delaware City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Delaware State towns that share Delaware City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware City | C | Colonial |
Every school in Delaware City
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Delaware State’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Delaware City’s schools
Are Delaware City’s schools good?
On Delaware State’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Delaware City children attend score below 74% of Delaware State’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Delaware City in?
Colonial School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,575 students in 14 schools (2024–25).
Where do Delaware City kids go to high school?
Penn (William) High School in New Castle, with 2,069 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Delaware City’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Colonial School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Delaware State.
How much does Delaware City spend per student?
$23,840 in Colonial School District (FY2024), against $22,312 across Delaware State. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Delaware City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Delaware City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Delaware State. Stars are from neighbors.