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Below Average

#192 of 219 schools in DE

South Dover Elementary School

Elementary School · Capital School District

955 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901

Enrollment

606

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Delaware schools

#192 of 219

In Dover

#17 of 19

public schools

In district

#11 of 12

Capital School District

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South Dover Elementary School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Dover · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Holy Cross School

6.0/10

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

Dover First Christian School

7.5/10

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

About South Dover Elementary School

South Dover Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dover, DE, part of Capital School District. South Dover Elementary School serves approximately 606 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. South Dover Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #192 of 219 schools in DE.

Structured state assessment records for South Dover Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • DE avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-3.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9% (2025 DESSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.4% (2025 DESSA)
Math vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.7 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 DESSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 DESSA)
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,301
Chronic Absenteeism25.1%

South Dover Elementary School — Students at South Dover Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores DE DESSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2015-2025)
ELA Proficiency 40.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.8% (multi-year state average, 2015-2025)

Based on 70 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
62%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
39.2%
ELA
48.9%
2016
Math
40.7%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
47.8%
ELA
49.5%
2018
Math
42.6%
ELA
43.5%
2019
Math
37.9%
ELA
43.4%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
13.5%
ELA
26.7%
2022
Math
15.6%
ELA
28.4%
2023
Math
22.1%
ELA
22.6%
2024
Math
19%
ELA
21.1%
2025
Math
17.7%
ELA
21.2%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How South Dover Elementary School Compares

See how South Dover Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in DE
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.1%

Location

955 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Dover Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DOVER FIRST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is W. B. Simpson Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fairview Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Dover 0.2 mi 6.0
DOVER FIRST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dover 0.8 mi 7.5
East Dover Elementary School Dover 1.0 mi 5.9
Booker T. Washington Elementary School Dover 1.3 mi 5.1
CAPITOL BAPTIST SCHOOL Dover 1.4 mi
Campus Community School Dover 1.5 mi 6.3
Kent County Community School Dover 1.4 mi 5.8
William Henry Middle School Dover 1.4 mi 4.8
Kent County Secondary ILC Dover 1.5 mi 7.1
W. Reily Brown Elementary School Dover 1.5 mi 5.3
Academy Of Dover Charter School Dover 1.6 mi 5.9
Fairview Elementary School Dover 1.8 mi 6.7
Towne Point Elementary School Dover 2.1 mi 5.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dover 2.0 mi 7.1
Capital Early Childhood Center Dover 1.7 mi 3.5
Caesar Rodney High School Camden 2.4 mi 6.3
Kent Elementary Intensive Learning Center Camden 2.6 mi
W. B. Simpson Elementary School Camden 2.6 mi 7.2
Fred Fifer III Middle School Camden 2.8 mi 6.1
Dover Air Force Base Middle School Dover 2.7 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,891

Median Home Value

$258,400

Median Rent

$1,353/mo

Population

39,149

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

54.1%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

32.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
New Castle Elementary School New Castle, DE 4.5
Banneker (Benjamin) Elementary School Milford, DE 4.3
Brick Mill Elementary School Middletown, DE 4.2
Bunker Hill Elementary School Middletown, DE 4.8
Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro, DE 4.9
Edison (Thomas A.) Charter School Wilmington, DE 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Dover Elementary School

What grades does South Dover Elementary School serve?

South Dover Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend South Dover Elementary School?

South Dover Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 606 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Dover Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Dover Elementary School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Dover Elementary School rank in DE?

South Dover Elementary School ranks #192 of 219 schools in DE.

What is South Dover Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Dover Elementary 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 South Dover Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Dover Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Dover Elementary School a charter school?

No, South Dover Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Dover Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Dover Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.1%

District

Capital School District
District Enrollment
6,547
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,301
District Rank
#11 of 12

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