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Average

#107 of 219 schools in DE

Top 48% in state

Southern Delaware School of the Arts

Elementary School · Indian River School District

27 Hosier Street, Selbyville, DE 19975

Enrollment

419

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Delaware schools

#107 of 219

In Selbyville

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#7 of 15

Indian River School District

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Southern Delaware School of the Arts

6.4/10

Elementary School in Selbyville · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Indian River Intensive Learning Center

5.8/10

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

Showell (phillip C.) Elementary School

8.0/10

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

About Southern Delaware School of the Arts

Southern Delaware School of the Arts is a public elementary school in Selbyville, DE, part of Indian River School District. Southern Delaware School of the Arts serves approximately 419 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Delaware School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #107 of 219 schools in DE.

Structured state assessment records for Southern Delaware School of the Arts show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • DE avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Southern Delaware School of the Arts sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.4% (2025 DESSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.5% (2025 DESSA)
Math vs. State Avg-1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 DESSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 DESSA)
vs. Expected+23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,367
Chronic Absenteeism15.8%

Southern Delaware School of the Arts — Students at Southern Delaware School of the Arts score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores DE DESSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
38.2% (multi-year state average, 2015-2025)
ELA Proficiency 74.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.0% (multi-year state average, 2015-2025)

Based on 144 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
93%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
89%
2015
Math
75.8%
ELA
87.4%
2016
Math
74.8%
ELA
84.2%
2017
Math
74.8%
ELA
83.5%
2018
Math
72.5%
ELA
82.6%
2019
Math
72.9%
ELA
83.3%
2020*
Math
43%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
43.6%
ELA
66.8%
2022
Math
46.9%
ELA
65.5%
2023
Math
50.6%
ELA
65.6%
2024
Math
52%
ELA
58.5%
2025
Math
52.8%
ELA
59.3%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Southern Delaware School of the Arts Compares

See how Southern Delaware School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in DE
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

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

27 Hosier Street, Selbyville, DE 19975

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southern Delaware School of the Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean City Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Ocean City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Showell Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Berlin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willards Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Willards), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Selbyville, see our Selbyville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Indian River Intensive Learning Center Selbyville 0.1 mi 5.8
Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville 0.6 mi 8.0
Selbyville Middle School Selbyville 0.9 mi 7.7
Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford 5.2 mi 6.8
Showell Elementary Berlin 5.3 mi 9.1
Indian River High School Dagsboro 5.6 mi 6.1
MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Berlin 5.4 mi 4.1
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro 6.0 mi 7.2
Stephen Decatur High Berlin 8.5 mi 7.2
Stephen Decatur Middle Berlin 8.8 mi 9.3
Berlin Intermediate Berlin 9.1 mi 8.2
East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro 9.0 mi 4.3
Buckingham Elementary Berlin 9.8 mi 8.3
Millsboro Middle School Millsboro 9.5 mi 5.5
WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Berlin 10.1 mi 6.6
Willards Elementary Willards 8.5 mi 8.6
Lord Baltimore Elementary School Ocean View 8.9 mi 8.3
Ocean City Elementary Ocean City 10.2 mi 9.8
SEASIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocean City 10.4 mi 6.0
Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro 11.8 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19975 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,063

Median Home Value

$430,000

Median Rent

$1,098/mo

Population

10,356

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

61

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Gallaher (Robert S.) Elementary School Newark, DE 6.4
Mote (Anna P.) Elementary School Wilmington, DE 6.4
CHRIST THE TEACHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Newark, DE 6.5
Clayton Elementary School Clayton, DE 6.5
East Side Charter School Wilmington, DE 6.5
Campus Community School Dover, DE 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southern Delaware School of the Arts

What grades does Southern Delaware School of the Arts serve?

Southern Delaware School of the Arts serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Southern Delaware School of the Arts?

Southern Delaware School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Delaware School of the Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Southern Delaware School of the Arts is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southern Delaware School of the Arts rank in DE?

Southern Delaware School of the Arts ranks #107 of 219 schools in DE.

What is Southern Delaware School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Southern Delaware School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Southern Delaware School of the Arts?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Delaware School of the Arts has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southern Delaware School of the Arts a charter school?

No, Southern Delaware School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southern Delaware School of the Arts a Title I school?

No, Southern Delaware School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Sussex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

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