Skip to main content

Below Average

#184 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

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dover

#15 of 19

public schools

Delaware elementary schools

#97 of 119

In district

#11 of 12

Capital School District

School environment

7.0 / 10

Strong

About South Dover Elementary School

South Dover Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Dover, Delaware. Serving students from kindergarten through fourth grade, the school houses 606 children with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, South Dover Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment.

While the MySchoolScout rating and state ranking indicate areas for improvement, the school is dedicated to academic growth and development. On average, 33% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, and 22% meet proficiency standards in Math across all grades. These statistics suggest that South Dover Elementary is working towards enhancing its educational offerings.

South Dover Elementary School is situated within a small city setting where it plays an integral role in the community. The school's commitment to its students is evident through ongoing efforts to improve academic performance and provide enriching learning experiences for every child.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,337

South Dover Elementary School — Students at South Dover Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
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
38%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
28%

* 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 South Dover Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in DE
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

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 HOLY CROSS SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy Of Dover Charter School (rated 5.9/10, 1.6 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 5.1
Booker T. Washington Elementary School Dover 1.3 mi 5.3
CAPITOL BAPTIST SCHOOL Dover 1.4 mi
Campus Community School Dover 1.5 mi 4.6
Kent County Community School Dover 1.4 mi 7.2
William Henry Middle School Dover 1.4 mi 6.4
Kent County Secondary ILC Dover 1.5 mi 8.0
W. Reily Brown Elementary School Dover 1.5 mi 5.1
Academy Of Dover Charter School Dover 1.6 mi 5.9
Fairview Elementary School Dover 1.8 mi 5.9
Towne Point Elementary School Dover 2.1 mi 4.3
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dover 2.0 mi 7.1
Capital Early Childhood Center Dover 1.7 mi 5.1
Caesar Rodney High School Camden 2.4 mi 6.7
Kent Elementary Intensive Learning Center Camden 2.6 mi
W. B. Simpson Elementary School Camden 2.6 mi 5.7
Fred Fifer III Middle School Camden 2.8 mi 6.2
Dover Air Force Base Middle School Dover 2.7 mi 6.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Dover Elementary School has a median household income of $63,891. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,400, with a median rent of $1,353/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School Dover, DE 4.7
North Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna, DE 4.7
Brick Mill Elementary School Middletown, DE 4.9
West Seaford Elementary School Seaford, DE 4.9
Campus Community School Dover, DE 4.6
Clayton Elementary School Clayton, 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 is ranked #184 out of 219 schools in DE.

What is South Dover Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Dover Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 South Dover Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Dover Elementary School has 22.0% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (7,102/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.