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Downie (Carrie) Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

100^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 109 Delaware Elementary Schools

Better than 8% of Delaware elementary schools

Summary

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School is a public elementary school in New Castle, Delaware, serving 356 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Colonial School District, which is ranked 26th out of 32 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Delaware elementary schools over the past several years, with a ranking between 68th and 100th out of around 100 schools. The school has high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 20.4% to 29.7% over the past few years, significantly higher than the state average and the rates of nearby schools like Pleasantville Elementary (20.4%) and Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary (20.4%). Additionally, the school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates on state assessments, is significantly lower than the state and district averages, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades all below 25% in 2024-2025, compared to the state averages of around 40%.

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School's spending per student in 2018-2019 was $14,319, lower than the spending at nearby schools like Pleasantville Elementary ($17,096) and Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary ($14,790). The school's performance has remained stagnant or even declined over the past several years, with the school's ranking among Delaware elementary schools dropping from the 60s and 70s to the 80s and 90s, suggesting a lack of improvement over time.

324

Students ?

12.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$23,745

Per pupil spending ?

50.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

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: Declining — 25th percentile in 2015 → 8th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Delaware average (19% vs 41% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (8th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 17 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school19%

District avg26%

Delaware avg41%

100^th of 109

Delaware public elementary schools ?

Bottom 8%▼ down 17 pts since 2015

From bottom 25% (2015) to bottom 8% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Delaware Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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

26^th of 32Colonial 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
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 (2024-2025) ?

Social Studies28%-17 vs state

English Language Arts17%-24 vs state

Mathematics15%-24 vs state

1.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

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1★1

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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

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)					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 5th 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		82 (25.3%)	122 (37.7%)	94 (29.0%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	20 (6.2%)	10.8	100^th of 109 public elementary schools	8.3%		10	100^th of 106 public elementary schools	5.7%			18.2	36.5				14.3	13.6	22.2				21.1	10.0	14.1				$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		63 (16.4%)	177 (46.2%)	124 (32.4%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	2 (0.5%)	13 (3.4%)	14.7	93^rd of 109 public elementary schools	14.7%		12	97^th of 106 public elementary schools	8.5%	4		14.8	26.7				18.5	19.3	28.0				27.3	31.6	11.8				$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		78 (16.9%)	179 (38.7%)	138 (29.9%)	28 (6.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (7.8%)	21.3	86^th of 109 public elementary schools	21.1%		12.3	96^th of 106 public elementary schools	9.4%	10	11.4	28.2	40.0				28.8	28.0	25.6				27.2	29.0	16.1				$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		82 (28.2%)	101 (34.7%)	85 (29.2%)	4 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	18 (6.2%)	27.3	76^th of 109 public elementary schools	30.3%		22	83^rd of 106 public elementary schools	21.7%	7	19.2		48.1				26.2	22.2	32.7				30.8		26.9				$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		19 (2.4%)	721 (91.5%)	33 (4.2%)	2 (0.3%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	7 (0.9%)	32.4	70^th of 109 public elementary schools	35.8%		29.4	77^th of 106 public elementary schools	27.4%	7	14.7	36.3	37.8	24.7	47.0	25.6	39.5	35.8	32.0	30.4	34.7	44.1	46.5	39.0	6.7	16.3	26.0	17.9
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		37 (8.5%)	196 (45.0%)	166 (38.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (8.3%)	21.8	85^th of 109 public elementary schools	22.0%		29.3	78^th of 106 public elementary schools	26.4%	7	12.3	27.1	36.1				17.7	26.7	38.4				21.3	36.1	17.8				$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		89 (22.9%)	169 (43.4%)	104 (26.7%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.7%)	20.4	88^th of 109 public elementary schools	19.3%		15.6	91^st of 106 public elementary schools	14.2%	3	19.0	20.9	55.2				17.4	27.9	29.8				18.6	24.3	12.1				$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		179 (46.9%)	68 (17.8%)	107 (28.0%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	19 (5.0%)	28.1	75^th of 109 public elementary schools	31.2%		49	49^th of 106 public elementary schools	53.8%	26	11.1	37.3	36.4				24.7	39.0	27.8				19.8	37.3	27.8				$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		94 (18.0%)	134 (25.7%)	264 (50.6%)	6 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.4%)	5.1	107^th of 109 public elementary schools	1.8%		3.1	105^th of 106 public elementary schools	0.9%	2	5.8	8.3	27.7				6.7	9.5	15.5				8.8	9.2	7.7				$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		49 (14.9%)	184 (55.9%)	70 (21.3%)	10 (3.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.6%)	84.3	17^th of 109 public elementary schools	84.4%		52.2	45^th of 106 public elementary schools	57.5%	28	44.7	51.0	71.1				52.6	55.8	72.3				66.7	67.3	40.4				$25,836

Frequently Asked Questions about Downie (Carrie) Elementary School

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.

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

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

Is Downie (Carrie) Elementary School a good school?

Downie (Carrie) Elementary School ranks in the bottom 8.3% of Delaware elementary schools.

Rate Downie (Carrie) Elementary School!

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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.