Best Public Schools in Zip Code 19934

Zip code 19934, serving the Camden/Dover area of Delaware, is home to 7 schools spanning elementary through high school, including 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school, with most belonging to the Caesar Rodney School District.

For parents, the standout school in this area is W. B. Simpson Elementary School, which ranks 8th in the state and shows exceptional test scores—74% proficiency in 5th grade ELA and 64% in math, far above state averages. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (9.5%) and a strong 15:1 student-teacher ratio. In contrast, Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School lags significantly behind, with proficiency rates 20-30 points lower across subjects, despite similar class sizes. At the secondary level, Caesar Rodney High School is the district's flagship, with a 92.7% graduation rate and strong ELA scores (52.6% proficient on SAT), but math proficiency is a concern at just 16.9%, below the state average. The middle schools, Fred Fifer III Middle School and F. Niel Postlethwait Middle School, show a notable performance drop from elementary levels, with math proficiency falling to as low as 18-36% by 8th grade.

Two schools face significant challenges. Positive Outcomes Charter School has a 69.5% graduation rate, 44% chronic absenteeism, and an 8.2% dropout rate—all far worse than state averages—despite a favorable 9:1 student-teacher ratio. John S. Charlton School, an alternative school, spends an extraordinary $82,844 per student yet still struggles with 24% absenteeism. Across the district, chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with performance, and the elementary-to-middle school transition represents a critical drop-off point. Parents should note that while elementary education is a clear strength, particularly at W.B. Simpson, the district needs targeted interventions in middle school transitions, high school math, and attendance to improve overall outcomes.