Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

94^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 107 Delaware Elementary Schools

Better than 12% of Delaware elementary schools

Summary

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School is a K-5 school in New Castle, DE, serving 324 students as part of the Colonial School District. The school has faced significant academic challenges, consistently ranking in the bottom quartile of Delaware elementary schools, with its most recent ranking at 94th out of 106 schools statewide.

Test scores at Downie are well below both district and state averages across most subjects. For example, 5th grade math proficiency sits at just 11.32%, compared to a state average of 42.71%, and 5th grade reading proficiency is 17.31% versus a state average of 46.01%. When compared to nearby schools in the same district, Downie ranks lowest among its peers. Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School achieves more than double Downie's 5th grade reading proficiency rate, and more than triple its 5th grade math rate. Schools in neighboring districts show even starker contrasts—Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School in the Christina School District achieves proficiency rates roughly three to four times higher. Notably, Downie's per-student spending of $14,319 is the lowest among all comparable area schools, with some higher-performing schools spending $3,000–$4,000 more per student.

Despite these challenges, there are encouraging signs. Chronic absenteeism has dropped dramatically from 39.6% to 15.7%—now below both district and state averages. The school also shows a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, and 5th grade social studies proficiency improved significantly to 48%, approaching the state average. Third grade reading has shown three consecutive years of improvement, and the school's overall ranking has inched upward over the past two years. While Downie still has substantial work ahead, these positive trends suggest that targeted efforts in attendance and specific subject areas may be laying a foundation for future gains.

324

Students ?

12.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,745

Per pupil spending ?

35.8%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

1201 Delaware Street
New Castle, DE 19720-6098

(302) 323-2926

District: Colonial School District

Students who attend Downie (Carrie) Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Read (George) Middle School
High:	Penn (William) High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

37.7%

Hispanic:

29.0%

White:

25.3%

See top rated Delaware elementary schools

Compare Downie (Carrie) Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 16th percentile in 2016 → 12th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Delaware average (21% vs 42% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (12th percentile)

!English Language Arts scores 24 pts below the Delaware average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school21%

District avg27%

Delaware avg42%

94^th of 107

Delaware public elementary schools ?

Bottom 12%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 16% (2016) to bottom 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Delaware Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 8Elementary Schools in the Colonial School District

25^th of 34Colonial School District 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2026	12.0	94 of 107	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	10.8	100 of 109	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.0	100 of 106	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.4	88 of 103	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	9.7	95 of 104	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.6	89 of 95	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	17.5	88 of 105	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.8	68 of 85	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	22.6	70 of 86	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	23.8	72 of 86	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	30.1	81 of 108	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	56.7	45 of 91	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	51.0	48 of 90	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	72.5	24 of 91	73.6%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2019	28.7	55 of 72	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	12.8	92 of 97	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	16.4	87 of 99	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2023	33.0	48 of 66	27.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	25.7	73 of 92	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2025	10.7	93 of 97	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	14.5	85 of 99	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Delaware percentile	Rating
2019	7.5	77 of 82	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)27th percentile+13 vs school

African American (2019)24th percentile+7 vs school

White (2019)6th percentile-10 vs school

Female (2025)5th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2025)4th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Delaware (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies35%-15 vs state

English Language Arts18%-24 vs state

Mathematics17%-23 vs state

Science13%-17 vs state

1.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★1

Rate Downie (Carrie) Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The principle is rude & when I asked a question I never got a straight answer! I would like to know where all the school tax & fundraiser money goes, if my 1st grader can't even have a field trip to Herr's Factory (which has free tours) But every other grade had a field trip this year!! It's a shame the people who are supposed to be making our children feel better about theirselves, is making them feel as though they are being punished!! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

25years ago I attended Carrie Downie myself. My son (who is in the first grade now) and I both had the same kindergarden teacher. I am VERY displeased with the way the school is being run this year! The school is too small and everyone has to cram in the "bus court" for honor roll assembleys that only last 10 min.!! And I do NOT think is is fair to my son who has worked hard all year, to be aware that EVERY OTHER GRADE ...5th,4th,3rd,2nd&kindergarden (which was today 5/19/2010) had a field trip except his grade!!! I recieved a letter explaining where all the money goes from fundraisers.. In that letter it included $5 per student per field trip!!! I know when you home school your children you have to take them on field trips. So why would the school want to break sprits of 6 & 7 year olds!! I would like to know who I can talk to about this problem,before it becomes a bigger one!! I have donated waters, juices, snacks & money for numerous activities!! And will NEVER do it again!! I will spread the word on how Carrie Downie spends its fundraiser money, and maybe all kids will be treated equally!....please reply [email protected] I will make this right!!! so please respond soon, or I will find someone in the school district that will! Close Quote

Schools Near Downie (Carrie) Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				DeSSA Science (2026)		DeSSA Social Studies (2026)					Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2026)						Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)						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	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	DeSSA Science 5th Grade	DeSSA Science 8th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 4th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 5th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 6th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 7th Grade	DeSSA Social Studies 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Total
Downie (Carrie) Elementary School	Public	K-5	1201 Delaware Street	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Colonial School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 323-2926	324	25	12.9	35.8%	82 (25.3%)	122 (37.7%)	94 (29.0%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	20 (6.2%)	12	94^th of 107 public elementary schools	12.1%		10.8	100^th of 109 public elementary schools	8.3%	6	13.2		21.3	48.0				17.8	19.6	17.3				15.6	23.5	11.3				$23,745
New Castle Elementary School	Public	K-5	903 Delaware Street	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Colonial School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 323-2880	383	29	13.2	40.2%	63 (16.4%)	177 (46.2%)	124 (32.4%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.5%)	13 (3.4%)	13.5	90^th of 107 public elementary schools	15.9%		14.7	93^rd of 109 public elementary schools	14.7%	3			21.3	39.0				18.8	23.0	22.6				25.0	26.7	12.9				$25,464
Castle Hills Elementary School	Public	K-5	502 Moores Lane	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Colonial School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 323-2915	462	38	12.1	37.0%	78 (16.9%)	179 (38.7%)	138 (29.9%)	28 (6.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (7.8%)	18.9	84^th of 107 public elementary schools	21.5%		21.3	86^th of 109 public elementary schools	21.1%	2	19.1		33.3	40.6				18.5	22.5	33.3				22.7	26.6	14.5				$24,288
Wilmington Manor Elementary School	Public	K-5	200 East Roosevelt Avenue	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Colonial School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 323-2901	291	22	13.2	33.3%	82 (28.2%)	101 (34.7%)	85 (29.2%)	4 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	18 (6.2%)	16.5	86^th of 107 public elementary schools	19.6%		27.3	76^th of 109 public elementary schools	30.3%	10	15.8		23.5	38.9				27.3	22.1	23.7				25.0	26.1					$30,702
Charter School of New Castle	Public, Charter	K-8	170 Lukens Drive	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Charter School of New Castle	Yes	No	No	Yes	(302) 324-8901	788	35	22.5	44.5%	19 (2.4%)	721 (91.5%)	33 (4.2%)	2 (0.3%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	7 (0.9%)	27.8	77^th of 107 public elementary schools	28.0%		32.4	70^th of 109 public elementary schools	35.8%	7	20.9		22.9	65.4	33.3	51.9	24.5	31.7	34.2	36.1	26.7	29.4	33.0	26.6	26.8	22.4	21.7	21.4	19.6
Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School	Public	K-5	27 Landers Lane	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Colonial School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 429-4074	436	32	13.6	50.9%	37 (8.5%)	196 (45.0%)	166 (38.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (8.3%)	29.6	75^th of 107 public elementary schools	29.9%		21.8	85^th of 109 public elementary schools	22.0%	10	25.8		26.4	54.1				21.1	29.3	44.3				23.4	30.7	35.5				$24,085
Pleasantville Elementary School	Public	K-5	16 Pleasant Street	New Castle	19720	New Castle County	Colonial School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 323-2935	389	29	13.4	37.5%	89 (22.9%)	169 (43.4%)	104 (26.7%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.7%)	24	80^th of 107 public elementary schools	25.2%		20.4	88^th of 109 public elementary schools	19.3%	8	20.3		22.7	66.2				21.2	21.8	39.1				27.7	22.1	18.8				$25,005
Richey Elementary School	Public	K-5	105 East Highland Avenue	Wilmington	19804	New Castle County	Red Clay Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 992-5535	382	30	12.9	37.4%	179 (46.9%)	68 (17.8%)	107 (28.0%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	19 (5.0%)	53	46^th of 107 public elementary schools	57.0%		28.1	75^th of 109 public elementary schools	31.2%	29	37.1		32.9	67.7				36.8	33.8	56.5				43.1	32.4	50.0				$24,888
Richardson Park Elementary School	Public	K-5	16 Idella Avenue	Wilmington	19804	New Castle County	Red Clay Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 992-5570	522	53	9.9	43.7%	94 (18.0%)	134 (25.7%)	264 (50.6%)	6 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.4%)	7.4	101^st of 107 public elementary schools	5.6%		5.1	107^th of 109 public elementary schools	1.8%	6	13.6		11.1	37.9				16.5	11.2	22.7				13.8	12.4	9.1				$28,461
Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School	Public	K-5	35 West Main Street	Newark	19702	New Castle County	Christina School District	No	No	No	Yes	(302) 454-2131	329	23	14.3	39.5%	49 (14.9%)	184 (55.9%)	70 (21.3%)	10 (3.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.6%)	74.9	31^st of 107 public elementary schools	71.0%		84.3	17^th of 109 public elementary schools	84.4%	14	38.1		50.0	66.7				45.6	66.7	66.7				42.9	67.2	45.2				$25,836

Frequently Asked Questions about Downie (Carrie) Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Downie (Carrie) Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Downie (Carrie) Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Read (George) Middle School
High : Penn (William) High School

Is Downie (Carrie) Elementary School a good school?

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School ranks in the bottom 12.1% of Delaware elementary schools.

How many students attend Downie (Carrie) Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 324 students attended Downie (Carrie) Elementary School.

What district is Downie (Carrie) Elementary School in?

Colonial School District

What is the racial makeup of Downie (Carrie) Elementary School?

Students at Downie (Carrie) Elementary School are 38% African American, 29% Hispanic, 25% White, 6% Two or more races.

Rate Downie (Carrie) Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

DEDelaware Elementary School Rankings

DEDelaware District Rankings

Schools in New Castle, DE

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Downie (Carrie) Elementary School!

Latest Delaware data All new data »

2024–25 dropout ratesNewNov 5, 2026

2023–24 dropout ratesNewNov 2, 2026

2023–24 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 29, 2026

2025–26 DeSSA, SAT & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresAug 18, 2026

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.