Best Public Schools in Dover, DE

The city of Dover, Delaware is home to 18 schools across two school districts - the Capital School District and the Caesar Rodney School District. The schools include 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school, serving students from pre-K through 12th grade.

Several schools stand out in the data, including Major George S. Welch Elementary School, which is ranked 3rd out of 106 Delaware elementary schools and has exceptional test scores. Dover Air Force Base Middle School is ranked 2nd out of 54 Delaware middle schools and also has outstanding test performance. At the high school level, Early College School at Del State has a strong 90.4% four-year graduation rate.

However, the data also reveals significant racial disparities, with many schools having majority African American or Hispanic student populations and lower proficiency rates compared to their white peers. Additionally, there is not a clear correlation between per-student spending and academic outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership and student engagement, play a crucial role in student success. The data highlights the importance of addressing these systemic inequities to ensure all students in Dover have access to a high-quality education.