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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,754

Mariner Middle School — Students at Mariner Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 36.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
43%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
48%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
78th percentile in DE
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,265/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milton). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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