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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

Charter

Enrollment

416

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,932

First State Military Academy — Students at First State Military Academy score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from DE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in DE
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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