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#131 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

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Delaware schools

#131 of 219

In Clayton

#3 of 4

public schools

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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First State Military Academy

6.0/10

High School in Clayton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Clayton Elementary School

6.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Providence Creek Academy Charter School

6.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About First State Military Academy

First State Military Academy is a public high school in Clayton, DE, part of First State Military Academy. First State Military Academy serves approximately 416 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. First State Military Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #131 of 219 schools in DE.

Structured state assessment records for First State Military Academy show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

How it comparesOn par with DE schools
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • DE avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

First State Military Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

First State Military Academy 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.

35% of students at First State Military Academy 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-0.77 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness6.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
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$16,959
Chronic Absenteeism35.1%

First State Military Academy — Students at First State Military Academy score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 11.8% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.1% (multi-year average, 2016-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 14 test records from DE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2016
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
42%
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: 8.8/10.

How First State Military Academy Compares

See how First State Military Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
41th percentile in DE
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.5
Sports
11
6 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
12.3% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
6 boys'·5 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Smyrna), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Early College School at Del State (rated 5.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Dover), with a comparable 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 6.5
Providence Creek Academy Charter School Clayton 0.4 mi 6.6
Smyrna High School Smyrna 0.7 mi 5.9
Smyrna Middle School Smyrna 1.0 mi 5.0
Clayton Intermediate School Clayton 1.6 mi 5.1
North Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna 1.5 mi 8.2
Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna 1.6 mi 7.0
Moore (John Bassett) School Smyrna 1.8 mi 6.0
Sunnyside Elementary School Smyrna 2.0 mi 6.3
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 8.4
WILEYS SCHOOL Dover 8.2 mi 4.3
Early College School at Del State Dover 8.3 mi 5.1
CEDAR GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Dover 9.3 mi 2.9
North Dover Elementary School Dover 9.1 mi 4.6
Spring Meadow Early Childhood Center Townsend 9.9 mi 6.8
Old State Elementary School Townsend 9.9 mi 7.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Delaware Military Academy Wilmington, DE 6.2
PADUA ACADEMY Wilmington, DE 6.2
Early College School at Del State Dover, DE 5.1

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 ranks #131 of 219 schools in DE.

What is First State Military Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

First State Military Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 First State Military Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, First State Military Academy has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).

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

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.1%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

First State Military Academy
District Enrollment
416
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,959
District Rank
#1 of 1

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