Summary:
First State Montessori Academy is a single public charter elementary school in Wilmington, Delaware, serving grades K-8 with 657 students and operating as its own district.
This school is a standout performer in Delaware, ranking #2 out of 34 districts statewide with a 5-star rating. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 5.0%, far below the state average of 17.1%, which signals strong student engagement. Academically, the school exceeds state averages in nearly every subject and grade. In English Language Arts, proficiency ranges from 55% in 8th grade to a remarkable 77% in 6th grade—a 38-point gap above the state average. Social Studies is a clear strength, with 5th graders hitting 81% proficiency, nearly 20 points above the state. Mathematics is more varied: 3rd graders lead at 49% proficiency, but 8th grade math lags at 30%, though it nearly doubled from the prior year (15.5% to 30.4%). Science also outperforms the state, especially in 8th grade (30% vs. 16% statewide).
Year-over-year trends show a mixed but generally positive picture. The most dramatic gains came in 6th grade ELA (+11.6 points) and 8th grade math (+14.8 points), while 5th grade saw declines in both math (-6.2 points) and science (-6.4 points). The school exhibits a common "middle school dip," with performance tapering as grades advance, particularly in math. However, the 8th grade improvement is encouraging for high school readiness. At $13,194 per student, the school delivers strong results efficiently. For parents, this school offers a proven Montessori model that combines high academic achievement, especially in humanities, with exceptional attendance—a combination that makes it one of the top educational options in Delaware.
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