Summary:
Zip code 19713 in Newark, Delaware, is served by two middle schools—Gauger-Cobbs Middle School and Kirk (George V.) Middle School—both part of the Christina School District, together educating 1,293 students in grades 6-8.
For parents comparing the two, Kirk Middle School is the stronger overall performer. It ranks higher in the state (45th vs. 50th out of 59), has a much lower chronic absenteeism rate (13.9% vs. 22.1%—better than both the district and state averages), and posts superior science scores (8.19% proficiency vs. 3.33%). Kirk also leads in 7th grade ELA (30% vs. 19.31%) and 6th grade math (15.08% vs. 17.19%—actually a rare win for Gauger-Cobbs). However, Gauger-Cobbs Middle School has bright spots: its 8th grade math proficiency hit 22.98% in 2024-2025, exceeding the district average, and it offers a lower student-teacher ratio (10.9:1 vs. 12.4:1), which may appeal to parents seeking more individualized attention. Both schools earn just 1 star and fall well below state proficiency averages in every subject—for example, 6th grade ELA at Gauger-Cobbs is 25.93% vs. the state's 39.07%.
The most striking takeaway is the absenteeism gap: Kirk's rate is 8.2 percentage points better than Gauger-Cobbs', likely driving much of the academic difference. Science is a critical weakness at both schools, with Gauger-Cobbs at just 3.33% proficiency (one-fifth the state average). Social studies is a relative strength, particularly in 7th grade where both schools approach district averages. Interestingly, Kirk spends slightly more per student ($16,953 vs. $16,374) yet achieves better results despite a higher student-teacher ratio, suggesting school culture and attendance matter more than class size alone. Both schools show year-over-year volatility and modest ranking improvements, but the 8th grade social studies gap—where both schools fall below half the state average—points to a possible district-wide curriculum issue worth investigating.
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