Summary:
Zip code 19953 in Hartly, Delaware, is served by a single elementary school, Hartly Elementary School, which educates students in grades K-4 and is part of the Capital School District.
As the only school in this area, Hartly Elementary School stands out as a consistent bright spot within its district. The school has earned a solid 3-star rating for three consecutive years and has improved its statewide ranking from the 64th percentile to the 48th percentile over the past two years. With just 240 students and an 11:1 student-teacher ratio, families can expect a more personalized learning environment than at many larger schools. Academically, the school significantly outperforms its district averages across nearly every subject and grade level. For example, 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency is 54%, more than double the district's 26.5%, and 5th grade social studies proficiency is an impressive 73.81%—well above both the district (45.01%) and state (61.85%) averages. The school also boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 15.9%, which is below both district and state levels, indicating strong student engagement.
However, there are areas of concern. The most notable is a dramatic decline in math proficiency as students progress: scores drop from 48% in 3rd grade to 30% in 4th grade, and plummet to just 14.29% in 5th grade—a 34-point decline that is steeper than the district's own downward trend. Additionally, performance is inconsistent by grade level; while 3rd graders exceed state averages in both ELA and math, 4th graders fall below state averages in both subjects. This may reflect cohort differences or specific instructional challenges in upper elementary grades. For parents considering this school, the strengths lie in early elementary instruction, social studies, and a supportive, small-school atmosphere, but the declining math scores in upper grades warrant attention and perhaps a conversation with school administrators about curriculum and support strategies.
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