Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in New Castle County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best New Castle County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 129 public schools serving 78,699 students in New Castle County, DE (there are 101 private schools, serving 18,972 private students). 80% of all K-12 students in New Castle County, DE are educated in public schools (compared to the DE state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in New Castle County, DE are Charter School Of Wilmington, North Star Elementary School and Newark Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Castle County, DE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Delaware public school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in New Castle County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Delaware public schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public school average of 62% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in New Castle County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Charter School Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
100 North Dupont Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
(302) 651-2727
Gr: 9-12 | 977 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22.
North Star Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1340 Little Baltimore Road
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 234-7200
Gr: K-5 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Newark Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
200 Mcintire Drive
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 369-2001
Gr: K-12 | 3,109 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Linden Hill Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3415 Skyline Drive
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 454-3406
Gr: K-5 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
William F. Cooke Jr. Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2025 Graves Road
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 235-6600
Gr: K-5 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
Mot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1156 Levels Road
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 376-5125
Gr: K-12 | 1,407 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #77.
Cedar Lane Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1259 Cedar Lane Road
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 378-5045
Gr: 1-5 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #88.
Loss (Olive B.) Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
200 Brennan Boulevard
Bear, DE 19701
(302) 832-1343
Gr: 1-5 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #99.
Christiana High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
190 Salem Church Road
Newark, DE 19713
(302) 631-2400
Gr: 6-12 | 1,425 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1010.
Calloway (Cab) School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
100 North Dupont Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
(302) 651-2700
Gr: 6-12 | 941 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1111.
Waters (Alfred G.) Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1235 Cedar Lane Road
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 449-3490
Gr: 6-8 | 935 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1212.
Conrad Schools Of Science
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
201 Jackson Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19804
(302) 992-5545
Gr: 6-12 | 1,164 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1313.
Wilson (Etta J.) Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14 Forge Road
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 454-2180
Gr: K-5 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
West Park Place Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
193 West Park Place
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 454-2290
Gr: K-5 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1515.
Claymont Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3401 Green Street
Claymont, DE 19703
(302) 792-3880
Gr: K-5 | 937 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1616.
Marshall (Thurgood) Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Barrett Run Road
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 454-4700
Gr: K-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1717.
First State Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
Null, Null
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 576-1500
Gr: K-8 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1818.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2815 Highlands Lane
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 454-3424
Gr: K-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1919.
Odyssey Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4409 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 516-8000
Gr: K-12 | 2,286 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2020.
Townsend Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
126 Main Street, 126 Main Stre
Townsend, DE 19734
(302) 378-5020
Gr: 1-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2121.
Lorewood Grove Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
820 Mapleton Ave.
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 842-2575
Gr: 1-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2222.
Douglass School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1800 Prospect Road
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 429-4146
Gr: 1-12 | 119 students Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
First State School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
501 West 14th Street
Wilmington, DE 19899
(302) 320-5848
Gr: 1-11 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Leach (John G.) School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4055
Gr: PK-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2525.
Dupont (H.b.) Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
735 Meeting House Road
Hockessin, DE 19707
(302) 239-3420
Gr: 6-8 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2626.
Downes (John R.) Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
220 Casho Mill Road
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 454-2133
Gr: K-5 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2727.
Marbrook Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2101 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 992-5555
Gr: K-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Lancashire Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2000 Naamans Road
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 475-3990
Gr: K-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Old State Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
580 Tony Marchio Drive
Townsend, DE 19734
(302) 378-6720
Gr: 1-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3030.
Cantwells Bridge Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
550 Tony Marchio Drive
Townsend, DE 19734
(302) 376-4128
Gr: 6-8 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3131.
Brandywine Springs School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2916 Duncan Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 636-5681
Gr: K-8 | 941 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3232.
Forest Oak Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
55 South Meadowood Drive
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 454-3420
Gr: K-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #3333.
Maclary (R. Elisabeth) Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 St. Regis Drive
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 454-2142
Gr: K-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3434.
Concord High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2501 Ebright Road
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 475-3951
Gr: 9-12 | 994 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3535.
Appoquinimink High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1080 Bunker Hill Road
Middletown, DE 19709
(302) 449-3840
Gr: 9-12 | 1,357 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Show 94 more public schools in New Castle County, DE (out of 129 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in New Castle County, DE?
The top-ranked public schools in New Castle County, DE include Charter School Of Wilmington, North Star Elementary School and Newark Charter School.
How many public schools are located in New Castle County?
129 public schools are located in New Castle County.
What percentage of students in New Castle County go to public school?
80% of all K-12 students in New Castle County are educated in public schools (compared to the DE state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Castle County?
New Castle County public schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public schools average of 62% (majority Black).
Which public schools in New Castle County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (DE):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons

More Articles

Scholarships
Public School Jobs
Opinion
About Public Schools
Public School Policies