Best High Schools in Zip Code 19934

Zip code 19934 in Camden, Delaware is served by two high schools—Caesar Rodney High School, a large traditional public school for grades 9-12, and Positive Outcomes Charter School, a small charter serving grades 7-12—offering families two very different educational models.

Caesar Rodney High School is the academic anchor, enrolling 2,254 students with a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It outperforms the state in SAT ELA (52.6% proficient vs. 44.0% statewide) and boasts a strong 92.7% graduation rate, well above the state average of 88.9%. However, its SAT math proficiency (16.9%) lags behind the state (18.2%), and the school has seen consistent year-over-year declines across all subjects—ELA dropped 5 points, math dropped 5.1 points, and 9th-grade science fell 8.7 points. Its state ranking has been volatile, moving from 17th to 11th to 18th over three years. In contrast, Positive Outcomes Charter School is a much smaller alternative (119 students) with a 9.1:1 ratio and spends $27,254 per student—more than double Caesar Rodney's $11,904—yet its graduation rate is just 69.5% and its dropout rate (8.2%) is more than double the state average. Its science proficiency (22.7%) is slightly below the state average (23.9%).

The most pressing issue for both schools is chronic absenteeism. Caesar Rodney's rate is 24.4% (43% above the state average of 17.1%), while Positive Outcomes' rate is a staggering 44.0%—157% above the state average—which likely explains its low graduation and high dropout numbers. Families choosing between these schools face a clear trade-off: Caesar Rodney High School offers scale, proven literacy strength, and solid graduation outcomes, while Positive Outcomes Charter School provides intensive personal attention but currently struggles to convert its high per-student spending into academic success. Both schools are part of the Caesar Rodney School District and the Positive Outcomes Charter School district, respectively.