DEDelaware rankings

Towns with the best public schools in Delaware

Ranked by how far each town's public schools score above or below the Delaware average in math and reading proficiency, weighted by enrollment. 31 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-yearTest scores SY2020–21

#Townvs. state averageMathReading
1 North StarRed Clay Consolidated School District +44.8 pts 74% 84%
2 NewarkNewark Charter School +25.4 pts 54.2% 65%
3 Map of Lewes LewesCape Henlopen School District +24.8 pts 58% 60%
4 Map of Ocean View Ocean ViewIndian River School District +24.8 pts 51% 67%
5 Dover Base HousingCaesar Rodney School District +13.0 pts 37% 57.5%
6 Middletown MiddletownAppoquinimink School District +12.3 pts 37.5% 55.6%
7 Map of Milton MiltonCape Henlopen School District +11.4 pts 38.9% 52.4%
8 Map of Hockessin HockessinRed Clay Consolidated School District +10.8 pts 35% 55%
9 Map of Pike Creek Valley Pike Creek ValleyRed Clay Consolidated School District +6.7 pts 33.3% 48.4%
10 ClaymontBrandywine School District +6.3 pts 38% 43%
11 Map of Camden CamdenCaesar Rodney School District +6.3 pts 27% 54%
12 TownsendAppoquinimink School District +6.3 pts 33% 48%
13 SelbyvilleIndian River School District +5.3 pts 27.7% 51.2%
14 GeorgetownIndian River School District +2.4 pts 29.4% 43.8%
15 Rising Sun-LebanonCaesar Rodney School District +0.7 pts 26.3% 43.5%
16 Map of Greenville GreenvilleRed Clay Consolidated School District +0.3 pts 22% 47%
17 ClaytonSmyrna School District −1.5 pts 21.6% 43.8%
18 Map of Millsboro MillsboroIndian River School District −1.7 pts 24% 40.9%
19 Map of Wilmington WilmingtonRed Clay Consolidated School District −3.6 pts 25.1% 36.1%
20 Smyrna SmyrnaSmyrna School District −3.6 pts 22% 39.2%
21 HarringtonLake Forest School District −3.6 pts 21.8% 39.4%
22 SeafordSeaford School District −6.4 pts 20.5% 35.1%
23 BridgevilleWoodbridge School District −7.4 pts 18.2% 35.4%
24 MilfordMilford School District −9.4 pts 18% 31.6%
25 Dover DoverCapital School District −9.8 pts 16% 32.8%
26 Glasgow GlasgowNew Castle County Vocational-Technical School District −10.9 pts 14.7% 32%
27 Map of Wilmington Manor Wilmington ManorColonial School District −14.8 pts 11.3% 27.4%
28 Map of Laurel LaurelLaurel School District −15.1 pts 13.7% 24.6%
29 Map of Brookside BrooksideChristina School District −16.3 pts 12.7% 23.1%
30 BearChristina School District −16.5 pts 10.8% 24.6%
31 Map of New Castle New CastleCharter School of New Castle −17.6 pts 9.6% 23.6%

How this ranking works

For every public school in a town we take its latest math and reading proficiency and subtract the Delaware average for the same test. The town’s score is the average of those gaps, weighted by each school’s enrollment, so a big high school counts more than a small annex. Private schools aren’t included.

Each state writes its own tests, so these scores compare towns within Delaware only. We don’t rank a town unless at least 150 students in its schools were tested. Test data: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states