Delaware is the #52 largest school system in the United States, serving 141,776 students across the 234 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 129 private schools, serving 22,223 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 43 Blue Ribbon Schools, 3 magnet schools, 23 charter schools, and 18 special education schools.
Minority enrollment is 61%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Delaware (2026)
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)
# Schools
234 Schools
# Students
141,776 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
9,918 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (DE)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
Graduation Rate
88%
Eligible for Free Lunch
33%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (12-13)
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.71
# American Indian Students
565 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
6,270 Students
% Asian Students
4%
# Hispanic Students
27,764 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
# Black Students
43,512 Students
% Black Students
31%
# White Students
55,766 Students
% White Students
39%
# Hawaiian Students
184 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
7,715 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (DE)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$2,882 MM
Spending (23-24)
$2,610 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$20,330
Spending / Student (23-24)
$18,410
Best Delaware Public Schools by County (2026)
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?
234 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 61%, 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: Mariner Middle School vs. Beacon Middle School, F. Niel Postlethwait Middle School vs. Fred Fifer Iii Middle School, Springer Middle School vs. Talley Middle School
Recent Articles
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences: Key Questions
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences: Questions Every Parent Should Ask to support academic growth, social development, and 2026 classroom goals.
Prepare for Spring Tests Without Anxiety
Learn how to prepare for spring standardized tests without increasing anxiety using proven strategies for families and schools.
Why Public Schools Are Launching Marketing Campaigns in 2026
Discover why public schools are launching marketing campaigns in 2026 and how enrollment shifts, school choice, and funding pressures are driving change.
