Average
#146 of 219 schools in DE
First State Military Academy
High School · First State Military Academy
355 West Duck Creek Road P.O. Box 888, Clayton, DE 19938
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clayton
#1 of 4
public schools
Delaware high schools
#33 of 42
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About First State Military Academy
First State Military Academy is a charter high school located in the rural outskirts of Clayton, Delaware. With an enrollment of 416 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school offers personalized attention within its structured military environment. First State Military Academy focuses on character development, discipline, and academic rigor to prepare its students for future endeavors.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10, placing it at the 40th percentile among Delaware high schools in terms of state ranking (#133 out of 220). Academically, proficiency rates are lower compared to state averages: 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and only 10% in Math. While these scores suggest areas for improvement, the school's military program emphasizes personal growth and responsibility alongside academic studies.
First State Military Academy is situated in a rural area near Clayton, offering a unique setting where students can balance challenging academics with structured military training.
What Parents Should Know
First State Military Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, First State Military Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
First State Military Academy — Students at First State Military Academy score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How First State Military Academy Compares
See how First State Military Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
355 West Duck Creek Road P.O. Box 888, Clayton, DE 19938
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First State Military Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Smyrna High School (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Smyrna), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Early College School at Del State (rated 5.2/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Dover), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton Elementary School Clayton | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Providence Creek Academy Charter School Clayton | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Smyrna High School Smyrna | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Smyrna Middle School Smyrna | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Clayton Intermediate School Clayton | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| North Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Moore (John Bassett) School Smyrna | 1.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School Smyrna | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| KENTON MENNONITE SCHOOL Clayton | 4.8 mi | 4.7 |
| GREEN HILL Dover | 5.8 mi | 2.6 |
| Townsend Early Childhood Center Townsend | 7.5 mi | 5.1 |
| HONEYSUCKLE KNOLL SCHOOL Dover | 7.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Townsend Elementary School Townsend | 7.6 mi | 6.6 |
| WILEYS SCHOOL Dover | 8.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Early College School at Del State Dover | 8.3 mi | 5.2 |
| CEDAR GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Dover | 9.3 mi | 2.9 |
| North Dover Elementary School Dover | 9.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Spring Meadow Early Childhood Center Townsend | 9.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Old State Elementary School Townsend | 9.9 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19938 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,338
Median Home Value
$335,800
Median Rent
$1,624/mo
Population
9,867
College Educated
23.4%
Homeownership
88.5%
Avg Commute
31.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding First State Military Academy has a median household income of $96,338. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,800, with a median rent of $1,624/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Delaware Military Academy Wilmington, DE | 5.4 |
| Early College School at Del State Dover, DE | 5.2 |
| Freire Charter School Wilmington, DE | 6.0 |
| PADUA ACADEMY Wilmington, DE | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First State Military Academy
What grades does First State Military Academy serve?
First State Military Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend First State Military Academy?
First State Military Academy has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First State Military Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at First State Military Academy is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does First State Military Academy rank in DE?
First State Military Academy is ranked #146 out of 219 schools in DE.
What is First State Military Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
First State Military Academy has a composite rating of 5.5 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 First State Military Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, First State Military Academy has 10.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is First State Military Academy a charter school?
Yes, First State Military Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is First State Military Academy a Title I school?
No, First State Military Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (616/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 416
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (302) 223-2150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
First State Military Academy- District Enrollment
- 416
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,959
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.