Best Public Schools in Zip Code 19975

Zip code 19975, serving the Selbyville, Delaware area within the Indian River School District, contains four schools—two elementary schools, one middle school, and one specialized high school—that together educate approximately 1,627 students.

For parents, the standout choice in this area is clearly Southern Delaware School of the Arts (SDSA), a K-8 magnet school that earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 77th percentile statewide. SDSA outperforms both district and state averages in nearly every subject, with particularly impressive results in social studies (61.7% proficiency in 8th grade versus 37.8% statewide) and 4th grade math (72.7% versus 40.4% statewide). It also boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the area at just 10.5%, and does all this while receiving the lowest per-student funding ($13,539) of the three rated schools. Selbyville Middle School offers solid, above-average performance with a 4-star rating, though its statewide ranking has slipped from the 80th to 71st percentile over three years. Its 7th grade ELA scores are exceptional at 64.5% proficiency, but 8th grade science remains a weakness at just 21.9%. Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School is the most inconsistent performer, holding a 3-star rating with dramatic year-to-year swings—its 4th grade ELA plummeted from 45.3% to 20.5% in one year, while 3rd grade ELA jumped 35 points. However, its 5th grade math program shows promise at 57.4% proficiency, actually exceeding SDSA's score in that subject. The Indian River Intensive Learning Center serves only 12th graders as a specialized program, with no test scores or rankings available for comparison.

The most pressing concern across this area is middle school science, where both rated middle schools score below state averages and have declined year-over-year. Additionally, SDSA's academic advantage narrows in upper grades, suggesting the arts-integrated model may be most effective in elementary years. Parents should also note that no traditional comprehensive high school exists within this zip code, meaning students likely continue their education elsewhere in the district.