Laurel School District

The Laurel School District in Delaware consists of 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. The district faces significant challenges in improving student achievement and equity across its schools, with most schools performing well below the state averages on key metrics.

Among the standout schools in the district, Laurel Middle School appears to be the highest performing, ranking 36th out of 59 Delaware middle schools and receiving a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's English Language Arts and Math proficiency rates are generally higher than the district and state averages. In contrast, the district as a whole struggles with low test scores, high chronic absenteeism rates, and graduation rates slightly below the state average.

While the data paints a concerning picture, there are opportunities for improvement. The presence of the North Laurel Early Learning Academy, which has the lowest student-teacher ratio in the district, suggests a focus on early childhood education that could pay dividends if the program is effective. Identifying and replicating the practices of the higher-performing schools, such as Laurel Middle School, could help raise the district's overall quality and address the systemic challenges it faces.