Schools in Zip Code 19938

Zip code 19938 (Clayton, DE) is served by four schools—two charter schools and two traditional public schools in the Smyrna School District—that together enroll 2,179 students across a full K-12 pathway.

Families in this area have dramatically different options depending on grade level. Providence Creek Academy Charter School is the clear standout: it holds a 5-star rating, ranks #1 in Delaware (97th percentile), and has climbed from 37th to 19th in state rankings over three years. Its K-8 students post strong results across subjects, including a remarkable 89.19% proficiency in 5th grade Social Studies and math averages near 51%. Clayton Elementary School is also solid and improving, jumping 16 spots in state rankings to the 74th percentile, with 3rd grade math proficiency (61%) nearly 20 points above the state average. However, Clayton Intermediate School (grades 5-6) shows a noticeable dip—4th grade math at Clayton Elementary is 54.37%, but 5th grade math drops to 41.77%—suggesting a challenging transition year. The weakest link is First State Military Academy, a high school with a 3-star rating, a declining state percentile (44th to 39th), and an alarming 6.38% math proficiency on the SAT.

Attendance and spending tell a similar story. Chronic absenteeism is excellent at the K-8 schools (7.6%–8.6%, roughly half the state average), but First State Military Academy's rate is 24.6%—nearly triple its local peers. The high school also spends the most per student ($12,478) yet achieves the worst outcomes, while Providence Creek spends the least ($9,865) and performs best. Graduation at the military academy (84.3%) trails the state average, though its dropout rate (2.7%) is better than the state norm. For parents, the takeaway is clear: Clayton offers an exceptional K-8 education, but the high school option is a significant concern that warrants careful consideration for long-term planning.