Best Public Schools in Zip Code 19901

Zip code 19901 in the Dover, Delaware area contains 9 schools serving approximately 4,352 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades, spanning four districts including Capital School District, Caesar Rodney School District, POLYTECH School District, and Early College High School at Del State.

The standout schools in this area are concentrated in the Caesar Rodney district. Major George S. Welch Elementary School ranks #5 in Delaware with a 5-star rating, posting nearly double the state average in 4th grade ELA (79.7% vs. 40.8%) and 5th grade math (69.4% vs. 34.9%), while keeping chronic absenteeism at just 10.6%. Dover Air Force Base Middle School is equally impressive, ranking #5 in the state with 87.8% 8th grade ELA proficiency and a remarkable 6.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Allen Frear Elementary School also earns 5 stars, ranking #9 in Delaware with 85.5% proficiency in 5th grade Social Studies. At the high school level, POLYTECH High School stands out with a 98% graduation rate and a 71.4% proficiency in 9th grade science, though its math scores remain modest. In contrast, the Capital district schools struggle significantly: South Dover Elementary School ranks in the 6th percentile with just 5% math proficiency, while East Dover Elementary School and Towne Point Elementary School also fall in the bottom quarter of the state.

Chronic absenteeism is the strongest predictor of success here—schools with rates below 11% (Welch, Dover AFB Middle, Allen Frear, and Early College School at Del State) all rank in the 85th percentile or higher, while schools above 19% absenteeism (South Dover, East Dover, Towne Point, and Star Hill Elementary School) all fall below the 30th percentile. Spending per student varies widely—from $26,336 at Dover AFB Middle to just $10,189 at Early College—yet both achieve strong results, suggesting how funds are used matters more than the total amount. Math proficiency is a consistent weakness across the zip code, with only two schools exceeding state averages. For parents, the choice within this zip code is stark: Caesar Rodney schools offer top-10 state performance with strong attendance cultures, while Capital district schools face systemic challenges that require careful consideration.