Below Average
#193 of 219 schools in DE
Penn (william) High School
High School · Colonial School District
713 East Basin Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Enrollment
2,077
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,077
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Delaware schools
#193 of 219
In New Castle
#12 of 14
public schools
In district
#12 of 14
Colonial School District
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Penn (william) High School
High School in New Castle · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Read (george) Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Downie (carrie) Elementary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penn (william) High School
Penn (william) High School is a public high school in New Castle, DE, part of Colonial School District. Penn (william) High School serves approximately 2,077 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Penn (william) High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #193 of 219 schools in DE.
Structured state assessment records for Penn (william) High School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- DE avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Penn (william) High School is a large school: 2,077 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
41% of students at Penn (william) High School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Penn (william) High School — Students at Penn (william) High School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 30 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: 3.8/10.
How Penn (william) High School Compares
See how Penn (william) High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
713 East Basin Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn (william) High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Conrad Schools of Science (rated 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Delaware Military Academy (rated 6.2/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pennsville Memorial High School (rated 3.9/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Pennsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,985
Median Home Value
$242,600
Median Rent
$1,282/mo
Population
60,593
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
67.2%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
39.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Milford Senior High School Milford, DE | 4.2 |
| Sussex Central High School Georgetown, DE | 4.8 |
| Dover High School Dover, DE | 5.6 |
| Smyrna High School Smyrna, DE | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn (william) High School
What grades does Penn (william) High School serve?
Penn (william) High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Penn (william) High School?
Penn (william) High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,077 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn (william) High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn (william) High School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn (william) High School rank in DE?
Penn (william) High School ranks #193 of 219 schools in DE.
What is Penn (william) High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn (william) High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Penn (william) High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penn (william) High School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Penn (william) High School a charter school?
No, Penn (william) High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn (william) High School a Title I school?
No, Penn (william) High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,077
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 119
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- New Castle County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.8%
- Phone
- (302) 323-2800
- 4-Year Graduation
- 75.0%
Resources & Links
District
Colonial School District- District Enrollment
- 8,778
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,018
- District Rank
- #12 of 14
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