Delaware is the #52 largest school system in the United States, serving 142,156 students across the 237 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 136 private schools, serving 22,461 students). 86% of all K-12 students in Delaware attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Delaware is 31%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 42%.
The top-ranked public schools in Delaware are Charter School Of Wilmington, North Star Elementary School, and Major George S. Welch Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
There are 44 Blue Ribbon Schools, 3 magnet schools, 24 charter schools, and 19 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 62%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Delaware (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Charter School Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
100 North Dupont Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
(302) 651-2727
Wilmington, DE 19807
(302) 651-2727
Rank: #22.
North Star Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 77% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
1340 Little Baltimore Road
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 234-7200
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 234-7200
Rank: #33.
Major George S. Welch Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
3100 Hawthorne Drive
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-9080
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 674-9080
Rank: #44.
Newark Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 66% (Top 5%)
Reading: 74% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-12
200 Mcintire Drive
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 369-2001
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 369-2001
Rank: #55.
Linden Hill Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 64% (Top 5%)
Reading: 68% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
3415 Skyline Drive
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 454-3406
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 454-3406
Rank: #66.
Allen Frear Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 63% (Top 5%)
Reading: 70% (Top 5%)
Grades: 1-5
238 Sorghum Mill Road
Camden Wyoming, DE 19934
(302) 697-3279
Camden Wyoming, DE 19934
(302) 697-3279
Rank: #77.
Lord Baltimore Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 66% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65% (Top 10%)
Grades: K-5
120 Atlantic Avenue
Ocean View, DE 19970
(302) 537-2700
Ocean View, DE 19970
(302) 537-2700
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Sussex Academy
Charter School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 57% (Top 10%)
Reading: 78% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-12
21150 Airport Road
Georgetown, DE 19947
(302) 856-3636
Georgetown, DE 19947
(302) 856-3636
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
William F. Cooke Jr. Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 64% (Top 5%)
Reading: 66% (Top 10%)
Grades: K-5
2025 Graves Road
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 235-6600
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 235-6600
Rank: #1010.
Mot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
Math: 60% (Top 10%)
Reading: 72% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-12
1156 Levels Road
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 376-5125
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 376-5125
Overview
This State (DE)
US
# Schools
237 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
142,156 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
# Teachers
9,631 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (DE)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
43%
Graduation Rate
88.9%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
33%
50%
Showing 2012–2025. View full 38-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (12-13)
5%
5%
Showing 2004–2013. View full 15-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# American Indian Students
546 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
6,349 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
28,851 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Black Students
44,503 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
31%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# White Students
53,598 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
38%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
187 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
8,122 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (DE)
Statewide Total Revenue
$3,141 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$3,273 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$22,095
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$23,020
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best Delaware Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Delaware?
The top-ranked public schools in Delaware include Charter School Of Wilmington, North Star Elementary School, and Major George S. Welch Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Delaware?
237 public schools are located in Delaware.
What percentage of students in Delaware go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Delaware attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Delaware?
Minority enrollment in Delaware is 62%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Delaware are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Delaware include: Red Clay Early Years Program vs. The Colwyck Center, Mariner Middle School vs. Beacon Middle School, Spring Meadow Early Childhood Center vs. Townsend Early Childhood Center
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