New Castle County Schools & Education
New Castle County, Delaware
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
71/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
90.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,092
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,480
School Score
71/100
Higher = better
State avg 62/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#1
of 3 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: New Castle County
School Verdict
New Castle County is a high-performing district with a school score of 71/100 and a graduation rate of 90.2%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
New Castle County spends $10,092 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for New Castle County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% above the Delaware average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in New Castle County, Delaware
Delaware's Largest Public Education Hub
New Castle County manages 127 schools and 78,939 students across 21 districts, the largest volume in the state. This expansive system features 66 elementary schools and 22 high schools to meet significant regional demand.
State-Leading Graduation Rates and High Scores
The county achieves an impressive 90.2% graduation rate, significantly higher than both the state and national averages. Education spending of $10,092 per student helps drive a composite school score of 60.3, the highest in the region.
Powerhouse Districts and Massive Charter Schools
Red Clay Consolidated and Christina are the heavy hitters, combined serving nearly 28,000 students across 56 schools. Charter schools are highly prominent here, with Newark Charter School alone hosting 2,987 students across multiple grade levels.
A Predominantly Suburban Academic Environment
Education here is primarily suburban, with 82 schools located in these settings compared to 21 in city locales. The average school size is 642 students, but massive campuses like William Penn High School serve over 2,200 learners.
Securing a Home in High-Performing Districts
With the state’s highest graduation rates and substantial per-pupil investment, New Castle County remains a top choice for education-focused homebuyers. Explore neighborhoods within the Appoquinimink or Red Clay districts to secure a spot in these high-performing systems.
School Overview
Total Schools
127
in New Castle County
Total Enrollment
78,939
students
School Districts
21
districts
Charter Schools
15
12% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
21 School Districts in New Castle County
Red Clay Consolidated School District
Christina School District
Appoquinimink School District
Brandywine School District
Colonial School District
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
Newark Charter School
Odyssey Charter School
MOT Charter School
Las Americas Aspira Academy
127 Public Schools in New Castle County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark Charter School | Newark Charter School | KG–12 | Charter | 2,987 |
| Penn (William) High School | Colonial School District | 9–12 | High | 2,239 |
| Odyssey Charter School | Odyssey Charter School | KG–12 | Charter | 2,123 |
| Delcastle Technical High School | New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,585 |
| Appoquinimink High School | Appoquinimink School District | 9–12 | High | 1,484 |
| MOT Charter School | MOT Charter School | KG–12 | Charter | 1,383 |
| Middletown High School | Appoquinimink School District | 9–12 | High | 1,355 |
| Las Americas ASPIRA Academy | Las Americas Aspira Academy | KG–11 | Charter | 1,341 |
| Christiana High School | Christina School District | 6–12 | High | 1,256 |
| Conrad Schools of Science | Red Clay Consolidated School District | 6–12 | High | 1,169 |
| St. Georges Technical High School | New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,153 |
| Mount Pleasant High School | Brandywine School District | 9–12 | High | 1,107 |
| Newark High School | Christina School District | 9–12 | High | 1,105 |
| Hodgson (Paul M.) Vocational Technical High School | New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,061 |
| Dickinson (John) School | Red Clay Consolidated School District | 6–12 | High | 1,058 |
| Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary | Colonial School District | KG–5 | Primary | 1,044 |
| Concord High School | Brandywine School District | 9–12 | High | 1,014 |
| Charter School of Wilmington | Charter School of Wilmington | 9–12 | Charter | 968 |
| Brandywine High School | Brandywine School District | 9–12 | High | 950 |
| Brandywine Springs School | Red Clay Consolidated School District | KG–8 | Primary | 945 |
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,092
State avg $9,480
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in New Castle County rate?
What is the graduation rate in New Castle County?
How much does New Castle County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in New Castle County, Delaware — FAQ
What does the school system look like in New Castle County, Delaware?
New Castle County manages 127 schools and 78,939 students across 21 districts, the largest volume in the state. This expansive system features 66 elementary schools and 22 high schools to meet significant regional demand.
How do schools in New Castle County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 90.2% graduation rate, significantly higher than both the state and national averages. Education spending of $10,092 per student helps drive a composite school score of 60.3, the highest in the region.
What are the major school districts in New Castle County, Delaware?
Red Clay Consolidated and Christina are the heavy hitters, combined serving nearly 28,000 students across 56 schools. Charter schools are highly prominent here, with Newark Charter School alone hosting 2,987 students across multiple grade levels.
What is the school experience like in New Castle County?
Education here is primarily suburban, with 82 schools located in these settings compared to 21 in city locales. The average school size is 642 students, but massive campuses like William Penn High School serve over 2,200 learners.
How can I find homes near good schools in New Castle County, Delaware?
With the state’s highest graduation rates and substantial per-pupil investment, New Castle County remains a top choice for education-focused homebuyers. Explore neighborhoods within the Appoquinimink or Red Clay districts to secure a spot in these high-performing systems.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.