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#157 of 219 schools in DE

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

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Selbyville

#4 of 4

public schools

Delaware elementary schools

#80 of 119

In district

#10 of 15

Indian River School District

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Southern Delaware School of the Arts

Southern Delaware School of the Arts serves 419 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Selbyville, with a strong focus on both academics and artistic expression. This regular public elementary school maintains an excellent 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 32 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking 8th among Delaware's 220 schools, placing it in the 97th percentile statewide.

Students show particularly strong performance in English Language Arts, with 65% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows 46% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating ongoing opportunities for growth in this subject area. Located in the 19975 ZIP code area, the school serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $80,538 and median home values are $394,000.

The surrounding area has a college-educated population of 37% and maintains a low poverty rate of 5.8%, reflecting the community's economic stability. Southern Delaware School of the Arts operates in a rural setting on Hosier Street, providing students with a unique educational experience that combines strong academics with artistic development in Sussex County's peaceful countryside environment.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Southern Delaware School of the Arts may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+23.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,680

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: 32%).

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 54.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.7%
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
73%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
65%

* 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: 2.5/10.

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
5.4/10
29th percentile in DE
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

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. Buckingham Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Berlin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Showell Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Berlin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ocean City Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Ocean City), 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 5.7
Showell (Phillip C.) Elementary School Selbyville 0.6 mi 7.3
Selbyville Middle School Selbyville 0.9 mi 6.0
Clayton (John M.) Elementary School Frankford 5.2 mi 5.8
Showell Elementary Berlin 5.3 mi 8.7
Indian River High School Dagsboro 5.6 mi 6.9
MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Berlin 5.4 mi 4.1
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dagsboro 6.0 mi 7.1
Stephen Decatur High Berlin 8.5 mi 5.1
Stephen Decatur Middle Berlin 8.8 mi 8.4
Berlin Intermediate Berlin 9.1 mi 6.7
East Millsboro Elementary School Millsboro 9.0 mi 4.6
Buckingham Elementary Berlin 9.8 mi 9.1
Millsboro Middle School Millsboro 9.5 mi 5.4
WORCESTER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Berlin 10.1 mi 6.5
Willards Elementary Willards 8.5 mi 8.2
Lord Baltimore Elementary School Ocean View 8.9 mi 7.1
Ocean City Elementary Ocean City 10.2 mi 8.3
SEASIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocean City 10.4 mi 6.0
Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro 11.8 mi 4.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southern Delaware School of the Arts has a median household income of $86,063. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $430,000, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

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 is ranked #157 out of 219 schools in DE.

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

Southern Delaware School of the Arts has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Southern Delaware School of the Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Delaware School of the Arts has 54.0% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (1,522/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Indian River School District
District Enrollment
10,786
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,367
District Rank
#10 of 15

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

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