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Very Good

#54 of 219 schools in DE

Top 24% in state

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School

Elementary School · Christina School District

142 Brennen Drive, Newark, DE 19713

Enrollment

442

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Delaware schools

#54 of 219

In Newark

#12 of 28

public schools

In district

#12 of 27

Christina School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School

7.6/10

Elementary School in Newark · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brennen School (the)

5.2/10

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

Kirk (george V.) Middle School

6.7/10

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

About Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School is a public elementary school in Newark, DE, part of Christina School District. Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School serves approximately 442 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #54 of 219 schools in DE.

Structured state assessment records for Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • DE avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-1.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.1% (2025 DESSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.7% (2025 DESSA)
Math vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 DESSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 DESSA)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$33,954
Chronic Absenteeism21.7%

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School — Students at Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores DE DESSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (multi-year state average, 2015-2025)
ELA Proficiency 46.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2015-2025)

Based on 90 test records from DE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
34.4%
ELA
48.4%
2016
Math
45.8%
ELA
58.1%
2017
Math
52.7%
ELA
57.5%
2018
Math
52.7%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
53.1%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
16.2%
ELA
25.4%
2022
Math
21.4%
ELA
29.1%
2023
Math
32.1%
ELA
34.8%
2024
Math
36.8%
ELA
39.8%
2025
Math
36.4%
ELA
39.7%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School Compares

See how Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
76th percentile in DE
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

142 Brennen Drive, Newark, DE 19713

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF DELAWARE (rated 9.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookside Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Maclary (R. Elisabeth) Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Brennen School (The) Newark 0.1 mi 5.2
Kirk (George V.) Middle School Newark 0.1 mi 6.7
Christina Early Education Center Newark 0.1 mi 6.1
Delaware School for the Deaf Newark 0.2 mi 4.9
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF DELAWARE Newark 0.7 mi 9.2
Las Americas ASPIRA Academy Newark 1.1 mi 3.8
Christiana High School Newark 1.0 mi 8.3
Gauger-Cobbs Middle School Newark 1.1 mi 7.4
Brookside Elementary School Newark 1.0 mi 8.2
Shue-Medill Middle School Newark 1.7 mi 7.7
THE COLLEGE SCHOOL Newark 1.4 mi 6.0
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE LAB PRESCHOOL Newark 1.4 mi
TARBIYAH SCHOOL Newark 2.0 mi 9.1
Newark High School Newark 1.6 mi 5.7
Gallaher (Robert S.) Elementary School Newark 1.8 mi 6.4
Academia Antonia Alonso Newark 2.0 mi 6.2
Maclary (R. Elisabeth) Elementary School Newark 2.3 mi 8.2
Marshall (Thurgood) Elementary School Newark 2.4 mi 7.7
Meadowood Program Newark 2.5 mi 4.2
TOWLE INSTITUTE Newark 2.8 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,850

Median Home Value

$267,500

Median Rent

$1,293/mo

Population

30,549

College Educated

29.7%

Homeownership

62.5%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Phillis Wheatley Elementary School Bridgeville, DE 7.6
Seaford Central Elementary School Seaford, DE 7.6
Brick Mill Early Childhood Center Middletown, DE 7.5
Lewes Elementary School Lewes, DE 7.5
Marshall (Thurgood) Elementary School Newark, DE 7.7
Richey Elementary School Wilmington, DE 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School

What grades does Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School serve?

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School?

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 442 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School rank in DE?

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School ranks #54 of 219 schools in DE.

What is Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School a charter school?

No, Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Smith (jennie E.) Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
442
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
New Castle County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.7%

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