Summary:
Zip code 19701 in Bear, Delaware, is home to three elementary schools serving grades K-5 (with one starting at grade 1) across three different school districts, with a combined enrollment of 2,063 students and no middle or high schools in the immediate area.
Families in this zip code face dramatically different educational outcomes depending on which school their child attends. Loss (Olive B.) Elementary School in the Appoquinimink School District is the clear standout, ranking #6 in the state (94th percentile) with a 5-star rating. Loss exceeds state averages in every subject—for example, 65.4% proficiency in ELA versus the 42.3% state average—and boasts a remarkably low 4.9% chronic absenteeism rate, less than one-third of the state average. In contrast, Oberle (William) Elementary School in the Christina School District ranks #92 (13th percentile) with a 1-star rating, scoring well below state and district averages in nearly all subjects. Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary School in the Colonial School District sits in the middle, ranking #71 (33rd percentile) with a 2-star rating, generally performing below state averages but above its own district averages.
Perhaps the most surprising finding is that spending does not predict success: Oberle spends the most per student ($15,226) yet performs the worst, while Loss spends the least ($12,755) and achieves the best results. Chronic absenteeism appears to be a powerful indicator, with Loss's 4.9% rate correlating with top-tier performance versus Oberle's 12.1% rate correlating with persistent struggles. The "district effect" is also striking—children living in the same zip code can attend schools ranging from the 94th to the 13th percentile statewide, highlighting how district leadership and policies shape educational experiences. For parents, this data underscores that school choice within this zip code can profoundly impact a child's academic trajectory.
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