Summary:
Zip code 19934 is home to two elementary schools serving grades 1-5, both part of the highly regarded Caesar Rodney School District, which ranks 5th out of 34 districts in Delaware.
For families in this area, W. B. Simpson Elementary School is the clear standout. It holds a 5-star rating and ranks 8th out of 106 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the top 10% of Delaware schools. W.B. Simpson exceeds district averages in every subject and grade level tested, with particularly impressive results in 5th grade social studies (82% proficiency) and 5th grade ELA (74% proficiency). Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 9.5%, far better than the district average of 17.9%. In contrast, Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School ranks 43rd statewide with a 3-star rating. While it performs near or slightly above state averages in most subjects, it trails W.B. Simpson by 20-30 percentage points in nearly every category. For example, 4th grade math proficiency is 65.6% at W.B. Simpson versus 38.0% at N.H. Stokes. Interestingly, N.H. Stokes actually spends more per student ($13,676 vs. $10,252), yet achieves lower results, suggesting resource efficiency matters more than raw spending.
Both schools are improving. W.B. Simpson has climbed from 28th to 8th in state rankings over three years, while N.H. Stokes has risen from 72nd to 43rd. N.H. Stokes showed consistent gains in math across all grades and a remarkable 18-point improvement in 4th grade social studies. Both schools also beat district and state averages for chronic absenteeism, with rates of 11.9% and 9.5% respectively. For parents choosing between these two schools, W.B. Simpson offers top-tier academic performance, while N.H. Stokes represents a solid, improving option with a notable strength in 5th grade social studies (64% proficiency, above the state average). The significant gap between these "sibling schools" highlights how school-level factors can dramatically impact outcomes even within the same district.
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