Below Average
#177 of 219 schools in DE
Bedford (gunning) Middle School
Middle School · Colonial School District
801 Cox Neck Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Enrollment
908
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
908
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Delaware schools
#177 of 219
In New Castle
#8 of 14
public schools
In district
#8 of 14
Colonial School District
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Bedford (gunning) Middle School
Middle School in New Castle · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Southern Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wilbur (kathleen H.) Elementary
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bedford (gunning) Middle School
Bedford (gunning) Middle School is a public middle school in New Castle, DE, part of Colonial School District. Bedford (gunning) Middle School serves approximately 908 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Bedford (gunning) Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #177 of 219 schools in DE.
Structured state assessment records for Bedford (gunning) Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- DE avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Bedford (gunning) Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
32% of students at Bedford (gunning) Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bedford (gunning) Middle School — Students at Bedford (gunning) Middle School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Test Scores DE DESSA (2024-25)
Based on 90 test records from DE state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.
How Bedford (gunning) Middle School Compares
See how Bedford (gunning) Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
801 Cox Neck Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bedford (gunning) Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Lane Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lorewood Grove Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Elementary School New Castle | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary Bear | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| St. Georges Technical High School Middletown | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bear | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bear | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Lorewood Grove Elementary School Middletown | 3.4 mi | 8.7 |
| AQUINAS ACADEMY Bear | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Leasure (May B.) Elementary School Newark | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| FAIRWINDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bear | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center Middletown | 5.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Oberle (William) Elementary School Bear | 5.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Waters (Alfred G.) Middle School Middletown | 5.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Cedar Lane Elementary School Middletown | 5.3 mi | 8.8 |
| LEARNING EXPRESS ACADEMY Newark | 5.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CARAVEL ACADEMY Bear | 5.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Marshall (Thurgood) Elementary School Newark | 6.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Pleasantville Elementary School New Castle | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Keene (William B.) Elementary School Newark | 5.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Academia Antonia Alonso Newark | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School Newark | 7.3 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,985
Median Home Value
$242,600
Median Rent
$1,282/mo
Population
60,593
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
67.2%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
39.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chipman (W.T.) Middle School Harrington, DE | 4.9 |
| Smyrna Middle School Smyrna, DE | 5.0 |
| Delmar Middle School Delmar, DE | 4.8 |
| Milford Central Academy Milford, DE | 4.7 |
| Read (George) Middle School New Castle, DE | 4.6 |
| Millsboro Middle School Millsboro, DE | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bedford (gunning) Middle School
What grades does Bedford (gunning) Middle School serve?
Bedford (gunning) Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bedford (gunning) Middle School?
Bedford (gunning) Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 908 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bedford (gunning) Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bedford (gunning) Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bedford (gunning) Middle School rank in DE?
Bedford (gunning) Middle School ranks #177 of 219 schools in DE.
What is Bedford (gunning) Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bedford (gunning) Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bedford (gunning) Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bedford (gunning) Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Bedford (gunning) Middle School a charter school?
No, Bedford (gunning) Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bedford (gunning) Middle School a Title I school?
No, Bedford (gunning) Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 908
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- New Castle County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.6%
- Phone
- (302) 832-6280
Resources & Links
District
Colonial School District- District Enrollment
- 8,778
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,018
- District Rank
- #8 of 14
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