Very Good
#50 of 219 schools in DE
Top 22% in state
Mariner Middle School
Middle School · Cape Henlopen School District
16391 Harbeson Rd, Milton, DE 19968
Enrollment
682
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
682
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milton
#3 of 3
public schools
Delaware middle schools
#3 of 36
In district
#8 of 9
Cape Henlopen School District
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Mariner Middle School
Mariner Middle School in Milton, Delaware, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 682 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school provides a supportive environment for academic growth and personal development. Located on Harbeson Road, Mariner Middle School benefits from its rural setting near Milton town, offering students both a peaceful learning atmosphere and easy access to community resources.
Mariner Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 places it in the 70th percentile among Delaware schools, with an academic score of 7.2 out of 10 indicating solid performance. Test results show that 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 37% in math, areas where the school continues to focus on improvement. Mariner Middle School is situated in a charming rural area near Milton, providing students with a close-knit community feel while still being within reach of local amenities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mariner Middle School 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Mariner Middle School — Students at Mariner Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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
↓ 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: 6.7/10.
How Mariner Middle School Compares
See how Mariner Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
16391 Harbeson Rd, Milton, DE 19968
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mariner Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Beacon Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Lewes), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Millsboro Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Millsboro), a more accessible option. Additionally, Georgetown Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Georgetown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Milton, see our Milton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Milton Elementary School Milton | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| H. O. Brittingham Elementary School Milton | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| DELMARVA CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS MILTON CAMPUS Milton | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Sussex Consortium Lewes | 4.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Sussex Academy Georgetown | 5.5 mi | 6.8 |
| North Georgetown Elementary School Georgetown | 6.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Georgetown Elementary School Georgetown | 6.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Georgetown Middle School Georgetown | 6.9 mi | 4.7 |
| DELMARVA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Georgetown | 7.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Ennis (Howard T.) School Georgetown | 9.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Sussex Central High School Georgetown | 9.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Morris (Evelyn I.) Early Childhood Lincoln | 9.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Cape Henlopen High School Lewes | 8.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Lewes Elementary School Lewes | 8.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Love Creek Elementary School Lewes | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Beacon Middle School Lewes | 9.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Mispillion Elementary Milford | 11.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Millsboro Middle School Millsboro | 12.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Ross (Lulu M.) Elementary School Milford | 11.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Sussex Technical High School Georgetown | 10.9 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19968 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,646
Median Home Value
$418,600
Median Rent
$1,408/mo
Population
14,791
College Educated
40.5%
Homeownership
90.3%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
54
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mariner Middle School has a median household income of $81,646. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,600, with a median rent of $1,408/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Shue-Medill Middle School Newark, DE | 7.2 |
| duPont (Pierre S.) Middle School Wilmington, DE | 7.2 |
| Gauger-Cobbs Middle School Newark, DE | 7.1 |
| Waters (Alfred G.) Middle School Middletown, DE | 6.9 |
| Woodbridge Middle School Bridgeville, DE | 6.8 |
| Beacon Middle School Lewes, DE | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mariner Middle School
What grades does Mariner Middle School serve?
Mariner Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Mariner Middle School?
Mariner Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 682 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mariner Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mariner Middle School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mariner Middle School rank in DE?
Mariner Middle School is ranked #50 out of 219 schools in DE.
What is Mariner Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mariner Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Mariner Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mariner Middle School has 36.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mariner Middle School a charter school?
No, Mariner Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mariner Middle School a Title I school?
No, Mariner Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 682
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sussex County
- Phone
- (302) 685-8516
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cape Henlopen School District- District Enrollment
- 6,587
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,712
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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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