Best High Schools in Zip Code 19901

Zip code 19901, encompassing the Dover and Woodside areas of Delaware, is served by two distinct high school options: POLYTECH High School (grades 9-12) and Early College School at Del State (grades 7-12), offering families a choice between a traditional technical high school and an innovative college-prep pathway.

POLYTECH High School, part of the POLYTECH School District, is the larger of the two with 1,228 students and stands out for its exceptional 98% graduation rate—well above the state average of 88.9%—and its impressive upward trajectory in state rankings, improving from 20th to 13th place in recent years. It also boasts a lower dropout rate (1.9% vs. 3.9% statewide) and spends significantly more per student ($16,759). In contrast, Early College School at Del State, affiliated with Early College High School at Del State district, is the attendance champion with a remarkable 2.1% chronic absenteeism rate—eight times better than the state average—despite having a much higher student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1. This school excels in humanities, with strong SAT Essay proficiency (54.95% vs. 43.01% state) and Social Studies scores (30.85% vs. 24.91% state), while maintaining a solid 90.4% graduation rate.

Both schools share a critical weakness in mathematics, with proficiency rates (12.66% at POLYTECH and 8.51% at Early College) falling well below the state average of 18.16%, signaling a clear area for targeted intervention. Interestingly, POLYTECH shows a dramatic drop in science proficiency from 9th grade (71.43%) to 10th grade (18.09%), suggesting curriculum alignment challenges. Despite these academic gaps, both schools outperform state averages on graduation, dropout, and attendance metrics, indicating strong student support systems. For parents, the choice comes down to preference: POLYTECH offers a comprehensive traditional experience with technical programs and better math scores, while Early College provides a unique college-focused environment with exceptional engagement and humanities strength, though with larger class sizes and lower per-student spending.