Delaware County Courthouse · Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0Delaware’s public schools outscore 92% of Ohio districts
On the state math tests, 79% of Delaware’s students scored proficient, above the Ohio average (52%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Delaware, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Ohio, not nationally.
From Ohio state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 82% and math 79% across both districts in spring 2022, against 60% and 52% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Delaware City spends $14,070 per student and Olentangy Local $15,172, against $16,610 across Ohio (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary School (private) is 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.
What’s behind Delaware’s grade
A: better than 92% of Ohio school districts, #94 of 993 Ohio towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Ohio average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Delaware, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Delaware
Laura Woodward Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 621 students · 20:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Delaware
John C Dempsey Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,278 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Delaware
John C Dempsey Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,278 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Delaware
John C Dempsey Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,278 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Delaware
Rutherford B Hayes High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,612 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Delaware
Rutherford B Hayes High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,612 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Delaware
Rutherford B Hayes High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,612 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Delaware
Rutherford B Hayes High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,612 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Delaware runs its own schools through grade 12 (Delaware City School District). From grade PK, students attend the Olentangy Local School District, shared with Berlin, Liberty, Orange and Powell. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Delaware
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Delaware vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Ohio towns that share Delaware’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | A | Delaware City PK–12 · Olentangy Local PK–12 |
| Delaware Township | B | Delaware City |
| Troy | B | Delaware City PK–12 · Buckeye Valley Local PK–12 |
| Liberty | A+ | Olentangy Local |
| Brown | A− | Buckeye Valley Local |
| Scioto | A− | Buckeye Valley Local |
| Berlin | A+ | Olentangy Local |
| Concord | A− | Buckeye Valley Local |
2 of the 7 neighbors share Delaware City with Delaware for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Delaware
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Ohio’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Delaware’s schools
Are Delaware’s schools good?
By Ohio’s own tests, yes: the public schools Delaware children attend outscore 92% of Ohio’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #94 of 993 Ohio towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Delaware in?
Two districts: Delaware City School District runs grades PK–12, and Olentangy Local School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Berlin, Liberty, Orange and Powell.
Where do Delaware kids go to high school?
Rutherford B Hayes High School, with 1,612 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Delaware’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Olentangy Local School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio.
How much does Delaware spend per student?
$14,070 in Delaware City School District and $15,172 in Olentangy Local School District (FY2024), against $16,610 across Ohio. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Delaware?
Yes: St. Mary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 146 students).
Parents talk
What Delaware families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Delaware → 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 Ohio. Stars are from neighbors.