For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 3,006 students in New Castle, DE.
The top-ranked public middle schools in New Castle, DE are Leach (John G.) School, Bedford (Gunning) Middle School and Charter School Of New Castle. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Castle, DE public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the Delaware public middle school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 43% statewide average). Middle schools in New Castle have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Delaware public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public middle school average of 64% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in New Castle, DE (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Leach (John G.) School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4055
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4055
Gr: PK-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
Bedford (Gunning) Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Cox Neck Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6280
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6280
Gr: 6-8 | 846 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Charter School Of New Castle
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
170 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 324-8901
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 324-8901
Gr: K-8 | 788 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Read (George) Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
314 East Basin Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2760
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2760
Gr: 6-8 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #55.
Mccullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
20 Chase Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4000
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4000
Gr: 6-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in New Castle, DE?
The top-ranked public middle schools in New Castle, DE include Leach (John G.) School, Bedford (Gunning) Middle School and Charter School Of New Castle.
How many public middle schools are located in New Castle?
5 public middle schools are located in New Castle.
What is the racial composition of students in New Castle?
New Castle public middle schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public middle schools average of 64% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in New Castle are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in New Castle include: Mccullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School vs. Read (George) Middle School, Read (George) Middle School vs. Mccullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.