Very Good
#35 of 219 schools in DE
Top 16% in state
Downes (john R.) Elementary School
Elementary School · Christina School District
220 Casho Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#7 of 28
public schools
Delaware elementary schools
#22 of 119
In district
#8 of 27
Christina School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Downes (john R.) Elementary School
Downes (John R.) Elementary School serves 357 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Newark, Delaware, consistently ranking among the state's top elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and holding the #10 position among Delaware's 220 elementary schools, the school demonstrates strong academic performance that places it in the 96th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.3 to 1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 55% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 45% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and student growth. Located at 220 Casho Mill Road in New Castle County, Downes Elementary serves a diverse suburban community where 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding 19711 ZIP code area features a median household income of $89,286 and median home values of $354,800, indicating a stable, education-focused neighborhood. The school benefits from its location in this large suburban area that values educational achievement and community involvement.
Score Breakdown
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Downes (john R.) Elementary School — Students at Downes (john R.) Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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 Downes (john R.) Elementary School Compares
See how Downes (john R.) Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 45% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
220 Casho Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downes (john R.) Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brookside Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McVey (Joseph M.) Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brader (Henry M.) Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Park Place Elementary School Newark | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| NEWARK CENTER FOR CREATIVE LEARNING Newark | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Newark Charter School Newark | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Newark High School Newark | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| McVey (Joseph M.) Elementary School Newark | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
| THE COLLEGE SCHOOL Newark | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE LAB PRESCHOOL Newark | 2.2 mi | — |
| Maclary (R. Elisabeth) Elementary School Newark | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Cecil Manor Elementary Elkton | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| THE NEW SCHOOL Newark | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Brookside Elementary School Newark | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Brader (Henry M.) Elementary School Newark | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Gauger-Cobbs Middle School Newark | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Glasgow High School Newark | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Brennen School (The) Newark | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Kirk (George V.) Middle School Newark | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Smith (Jennie E.) Elementary School Newark | 3.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Christina Early Education Center Newark | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| TOWLE INSTITUTE Newark | 3.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Delaware School for the Deaf Newark | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19711 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,455
Median Home Value
$376,300
Median Rent
$1,516/mo
Population
49,113
College Educated
52.7%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downes (john R.) Elementary School has a median household income of $94,455. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,300, with a median rent of $1,516/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lake Forest South Elementary School Harrington, DE | 7.5 |
| Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School Newark, DE | 7.3 |
| Maclary (R. Elisabeth) Elementary School Newark, DE | 7.3 |
| Pleasantville Elementary School New Castle, DE | 7.7 |
| Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville, DE | 7.3 |
| Brader (Henry M.) Elementary School Newark, DE | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Downes (john R.) Elementary School
What grades does Downes (john R.) Elementary School serve?
Downes (john R.) Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Downes (john R.) Elementary School?
Downes (john R.) Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Downes (john R.) Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Downes (john R.) Elementary School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Downes (john R.) Elementary School rank in DE?
Downes (john R.) Elementary School is ranked #35 out of 219 schools in DE.
What is Downes (john R.) Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Downes (john R.) Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Downes (john R.) Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downes (john R.) Elementary School has 47.7% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Downes (john R.) Elementary School a charter school?
No, Downes (john R.) Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Downes (john R.) Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Downes (john R.) Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- New Castle County
- Phone
- (302) 454-2133
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Christina School District- District Enrollment
- 13,076
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,954
- District Rank
- #8 of 27
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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