Delmar Elementary

Delmar Elementary in Delmar, MD, is a large school serving 914 students in pre-kindergarten through 4th grade within the Wicomico County Public Schools district, and it stands out as a highly efficient school that achieves strong academic results, particularly in math, despite having larger class sizes and lower per-student spending than many nearby schools.

Delmar Elementary’s most impressive feature is its exceptional math performance. In the most recent school year, 45.8% of students were proficient in math, which is nearly double the district average of 24.9% and far above the state average. This makes Delmar a clear standout compared to schools like Glen Avenue School and East Salisbury Elementary, which have much higher rates of economic disadvantage and lower math scores. However, the school’s English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency of 46.4% is closer to the district average and below the state average, suggesting that reading is an area for growth. Interestingly, Delmar achieves these results with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1—the highest among its peers—and spends about $14,817 per student, which is significantly less than schools like Charles H. Chipman Elementary ($21,985) and Pemberton Elementary ($20,305).

While Delmar is a solid, 3-star school with a history of stable performance, it faces challenges with chronic absenteeism, which sits at 17.6%—higher than the 11.9% rate at nearby North Salisbury Elementary. North Salisbury, a 4-star school just 4.85 miles away, outperforms Delmar in both math and reading, but it also has smaller class sizes and higher spending per student. For parents, Delmar offers a compelling choice if you value a school that maximizes resources and excels in math, but you may want to explore how the school supports reading and attendance to ensure it aligns with your child’s needs.