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Early College School at Del State

Q: Is Early College School at Del State a good school?

Early College School at Del State ranks 18 th of 41 Delaware high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades 7-12

18^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 41 Delaware High Schools

Better than 56% of Delaware high schools

Summary

Early College School at Del State is a public charter high school serving grades 7-12 in Dover, Delaware, with a total enrollment of 533 students. The school is part of the Early College High School at Del State District, which is ranked 13 out of 32 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school has shown strong performance in certain student subgroups, ranking 4th out of 31 Delaware high schools for its work with low-income and African American students in the 2022-2023 school year, earning 5-star ratings in these areas. However, the school's overall academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is more mixed, with proficiency rates in many subject areas and grade levels lagging behind state averages. Early College School at Del State has maintained a relatively high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 87.0% to 90.4% in recent years, and a low dropout rate between 1.3% and 3.9%.

When compared to nearby high schools, such as Middletown High School, Odessa High School, and Lake Forest High School, Early College School at Del State generally performs on par or slightly below in terms of academic achievement and other key metrics. However, the school's performance with specific student subgroups stands out as a strength compared to the surrounding schools. The school's status as a public charter institution and its focus on providing an "early college" experience may contribute to its unique performance profile, with strengths in certain areas but challenges in others.

583

Students ?

24.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

33%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1570 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901

(302) 857-3510

District: Early College High School at Del State

Racial breakdown:

African American:

79.4%

Hispanic:

9.3%

White:

7.7%

See top rated Delaware high schools

Compare Early College School at Del State to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 77th percentile in 2022 → 56th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Delaware median (56th percentile)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Delaware average (29% vs 36% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped from its 77th-percentile peak (2022) to 56th (2025)

!English Language Arts scores 14 pts below the Delaware average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school29%

District avg29%

Delaware avg36%

Middle school

39^th of 59

Delaware public middle schools ?

Bottom 34%▲ up 6 pts since 2024

From bottom 28% (2024) to bottom 34% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Delaware Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

18^th of 41

Delaware public high schools ?

Top 44%▲ up 24 pts since 2019

From bottom 32% (2019) to top 44% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Delaware High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

13^th of 32Early College High School at Del State among Delaware districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	28.9	39 of 59	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.4	39 of 54	27.8%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	41.9	23 of 49	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.6	22 of 42	47.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	29.7	37 of 55	32.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	44.2	22 of 48	54.2%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	25.1	40 of 55	27.3%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	48.1	18 of 41	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.1	18 of 41	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.0	16 of 39	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	64.9	9 of 39	76.9%	★★★★☆
2021	46.2	21 of 39	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	26.9	27 of 40	32.5%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	54.5	11 of 35	68.6%	★★★★☆
2024	67.4	7 of 31	77.4%	★★★★☆
2023	81.4	4 of 31	87.1%	★★★★★
2022	75.4	9 of 35	74.3%	★★★★☆
2021	36.9	18 of 27	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	35.7	17 of 33	48.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	48.2	18 of 40	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.6	17 of 39	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.1	15 of 38	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.6	15 of 37	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.5	19 of 36	47.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	18.2	35 of 41	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	78.8	4 of 33	87.9%	★★★★★
2024	90.6	3 of 32	90.6%	★★★★★
2023	71.4	6 of 29	79.3%	★★★★☆
2022	67.4	4 of 28	85.7%	★★★★☆
2021	66.1	7 of 24	70.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	52.2	16 of 40	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.2	17 of 39	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.6	8 of 38	78.9%	★★★★☆
2022	73.5	6 of 37	83.8%	★★★★☆
2021	32.7	22 of 36	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.9	24 of 41	41.5%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)54th percentile+20 vs school

African American (2025)53rd percentile+19 vs school

Female (2025)33rd percentile~ school

Male (2025)27th percentile-7 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)88th percentile+32 vs school

African American (2025)69th percentile+12 vs school

Male (2025)60th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2025)55th percentile~ school

By subject vs Delaware (2024-2025) ?

Essay46%+14 vs state

Social Studies33%-6 vs state

English Language Arts29%-14 vs state

Mathematics21%-9 vs state

Science19%-4 vs state

★

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Schools Near Early College School at Del State

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				DeSSA Science (2025)		DeSSA Social Studies (2025)			SAT English Language Arts (2025)	SAT Mathematics (2025)	SAT Essay (2025)	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2025)		Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	DeSSA Science 9th Grade	DeSSA Science 10th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 7th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 8th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 11th Grade	SAT English Language Arts 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	SAT Essay 11th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Total
Early College School at Del State	Public, Charter	7-12	1570 North DuPont Highway	Dover	19901	Kent County	Early College High School at Del State	Yes	No	No	Yes	(302) 857-3510	583	24	24.2		45 (7.7%)	463 (79.4%)	54 (9.3%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	3 (0.5%)	14 (2.4%)	48.1	18^th of 41 public high schools	56.1%		56.1	18^th of 41 public high schools	56.1%			18.9	56.3	19.3	21.4	47.1	10.0	46.4	35.8	21.8	21.3
Dover High School	Public	9-12	One Dover High Drive	Dover	19904	Kent County	Capital School District	No	No	No	No	(302) 241-2400	1,812	88	20.5		340 (18.8%)	1,022 (56.4%)	295 (16.3%)	32 (1.8%)	10 (0.6%)	10 (0.6%)	103 (5.7%)	29.5	28^th of 41 public high schools	31.7%		27.9	28^th of 41 public high schools	31.7%		24.2	13.1			21.6	28.9	10.6	28.3				$18,334
Caesar Rodney High School	Public	9-12	239 Old North Road	Camden	19934	Kent County	Caesar Rodney School District	No	No	No	No	(302) 697-2161	2,254	128	17.6		984 (43.7%)	733 (32.5%)	259 (11.5%)	97 (4.3%)	7 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	172 (7.6%)	65.9	11^th of 41 public high schools	73.2%		56.3	17^th of 41 public high schools	58.5%	6	41.0	28.4			27.8	57.6	22.0	37.3				$16,021
Positive Outcomes Charter School	Public, Charter	7-12	3337 South DuPont Highway	Camden	19934	Kent County	Positive Outcomes Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(302) 697-8805	119	13	9.1		58 (48.7%)	50 (42.0%)	4 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.0%)								(n/a)
First State Military Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	355 West Duck Creek Road	Clayton	19938	Kent County	First State Military Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(302) 223-2150	433	24	18.0		214 (49.4%)	142 (32.8%)	51 (11.8%)	9 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.5%)	14 (3.2%)	38.1	23^rd of 41 public high schools	43.9%		33.4	24^th of 41 public high schools	41.5%	1		21.1			21.9	45.5	9.1	23.3
Smyrna High School	Public	9-12	500 Duck Creek Parkway	Smyrna	19977	Kent County	Smyrna School District	No	No	No	No	(302) 653-8581	1,777	100	17.7		861 (48.5%)	634 (35.7%)	183 (10.3%)	21 (1.2%)	4 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	72 (4.1%)	46.1	20^th of 41 public high schools	51.2%		39.8	20^th of 41 public high schools	51.2%			21.6			18.8	48.3	12.3	35.7				$16,865
POLYTECH High School	Public	9-12	823 Walnut Shade Road	Woodside	19901	Kent County	POLYTECH School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 697-3255	1,228	80	15.3		666 (54.2%)	305 (24.8%)	129 (10.5%)	19 (1.5%)	4 (0.3%)	4 (0.3%)	101 (8.2%)	58	15^th of 41 public high schools	63.4%		60	13^th of 41 public high schools	68.3%	2	72.4	18.0			29.2	56.8	17.0	37.6				$21,677
Lake Forest High School	Public	9-12	5407 Killens Pond Road	Felton	19943	Kent County	Lake Forest School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 284-9291	951	51	18.6		537 (56.5%)	241 (25.3%)	83 (8.7%)	18 (1.9%)	5 (0.5%)	2 (0.2%)	65 (6.8%)	44	21^st of 41 public high schools	48.8%		33.5	23^rd of 41 public high schools	43.9%	2		23.2			24.8	40.8	16.6	24.9				$17,976
Odessa High School	Public	9-12	570 Tony Marchio Drive	Townsend	19734	New Castle County	Appoquinimink School District	No	No	No	No	(302) 842-2625	1,254	83	15.0		599 (47.8%)	450 (35.9%)	98 (7.8%)	42 (3.3%)	11 (0.9%)	2 (0.2%)	52 (4.1%)	77.8	5^th of 41 public high schools	87.8%		77.9	6^th of 41 public high schools	85.4%	1	40.3	26.7			45.4	64.2	25.2	40.8				$17,060
Middletown High School	Public	9-12	120 Silver Lake Road	Middletown	19709	New Castle County	Appoquinimink School District	No	No	No	No	(302) 376-4141	1,231	80	15.3		492 (40.0%)	448 (36.4%)	118 (9.6%)	101 (8.2%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (5.5%)	51.1	17^th of 41 public high schools	58.5%		73.4	9^th of 41 public high schools	78.0%	8	29.2	18.7			20.6	53.2	19.2	35.5				$19,820

Frequently Asked Questions about Early College School at Del State

How many students attend Early College School at Del State?

In the 2024-25 school year, 583 students attended Early College School at Del State.

Is Early College School at Del State a good school?

Early College School at Del State ranks 18^th of 41 Delaware high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Early College School at Del State?

Students at Early College School at Del State are 79% African American, 9% Hispanic, 8% White, 2% Two or more races.

What district is Early College School at Del State in?

Early College High School at Del State

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Delaware Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.