Summary:
Middle Schools in zip code 19810 consist of a single institution, Talley Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 12 in the Brandywine School District in Wilmington, Delaware.
For parents considering this area, Talley Middle School presents a mixed picture. The school's strongest asset is attendance: its chronic absenteeism rate of 9.7% is remarkably low compared to the district's 15.7% and the state's 17.1%, meaning students are consistently in class. However, academic performance lags behind both district and state averages in nearly every subject and grade level. In English Language Arts, proficiency rates range from 32.86% (8th grade) to 40.33% (7th grade), all below state averages. Math is a particular concern, with proficiency declining as students advance—from 32.74% in 6th grade (above the state average) down to 22.89% in 8th grade. Science is the weakest area, with only 14.34% of 8th graders proficient, well below the state's 16.36%. The school's state ranking has also slipped over three years, from the 56th percentile (3 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 44th percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026.
There are some bright spots. Seventh grade Social Studies is the only subject where the school outperforms its district (55.82% vs. 54.17%), and the school saw a 10-point improvement in that subject year-over-year. Per-student spending is substantial at $17,969, and the student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 is favorable. The disconnect between strong attendance, adequate funding, and below-average outcomes suggests the challenges may lie in instructional quality or curriculum rather than student engagement. For parents, this school offers a safe, well-attended environment, but they should be prepared to supplement learning in math and science, particularly as students approach 8th grade.
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