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Charles and Edith Liedlich HouseCharles and Edith Liedlich House · Photo: Choess · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−
Schools in Newark · Christina School District

Newark’s public schools score below 79% of Delaware districts on tests and graduation

In Newark, 73% of each class finishes high school in four years, below the Delaware average (89%). The grade covers the public school district serving Newark, 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, not nationally.

#35of 37 Delaware townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Delaware state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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.

Reading proficiency
35%
▼ 7 pts vs DE 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▼ 5 pts vs DE 29%
2021–22
Graduate on time
73%
▼ 16 pts vs DE 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$34.5K
▲ 55% vs DE $22.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.8
DE 14.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
6,403 students on the public path
In brief

Newark’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 42% and 29% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

73% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Delaware. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $34,491 per student, against $22,312 across Delaware (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then six middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Newark Charter School, University of Delaware Lab School (private), Newark Center for Creative Learning (private) and The College School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Newark’s grade

C+ Test scoresD− Graduation

C−: better than 21% of Delaware school districts, #35 of 37 Delaware towns. Both inputs trail the Delaware average; among the 42 Delaware towns with similar household incomes, Newark’s schools place at the bottom.

Delaware school districts we grade (42)Better than 21%
Lower resultsHigher results
Delaware towns with similar household incomes (42)At the bottom
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 6,985 test results and a graduating class of 829 could put Newark anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Newark’s students in the tested grades sat them (7,009 in math, 6,961 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Newark, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A
6–86 middle schoolsDepends on your addressD− to A
9–12Newark High SchoolChristina School DistrictB

Newark’s public schools are run by Christina School District, which also serves 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.

Christina School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 28 schools · 12,954 students · 11.8 per teacher (DE 14.7)
$34,491DE $22,312 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading35%
State average 42.2% · 6961 students tested
Math24%
State average 29.2% · 7009 students tested

Newark vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Delaware towns that share Newark’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NewarkC−Christina

Every school in Newark

13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Delaware’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Newarkby address
West Park Place Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
350 students13:1Rate it →
Downes (John R.) Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
346 students11:1Rate it →
Newark High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
1,039 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Newarkin other towns
Maurice Pritchett SR. Academy
Elementary · Grades 1–8 · Wilmington
D−
616 studentsRate it →
The Bayard School
Elementary · Grades 1–8 · Wilmington
D−
571 students11:1Rate it →
Christiana High School
High · Grades 6–12
A
1,425 students17:1Rate it →
Shue-Medill Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
763 students12:1Rate it →
Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
681 students11:1Rate it →
Kirk (George V.) Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
612 students12:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Newark Charter School
Grades K–12
A+
Charter
3,109 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
University of Delaware Lab School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
83 studentsRate it →
Newark Center for Creative Learning
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Nonsectarian
73 students6:1Rate it →
The College School
Elementary · Grades 2–8
Private · Special education
43 students4:1Rate it →

Questions about Newark’s schools

Are Newark’s schools good?

On Delaware’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Newark children attend score below 79% of Delaware’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #35 of 37 Delaware towns. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Newark in?

Christina School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,954 students in 28 schools (2024–25).

Where do Newark kids go to high school?

Newark High School, with 1,039 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Newark’s graduation rate?

73% of the class of 2023 in Christina School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Delaware.

How much does Newark spend per student?

$34,491 in Christina School District (FY2024), against $22,312 across Delaware. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Newark?

Yes: University of Delaware Lab School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 83 students), Newark Center for Creative Learning (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 73 students) and The College School (special education, grades 2–8, 43 students). Newark also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Newark families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Newark → 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. Stars are from neighbors.