Average
#165 of 219 schools in DE
Southern Elementary School
Elementary School · Colonial School District
795 Cox Neck Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Enrollment
743
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
743
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Delaware schools
#165 of 219
In New Castle
#7 of 14
public schools
In district
#7 of 14
Colonial School District
School environment
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Southern Elementary School
Elementary School in New Castle · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bedford (gunning) Middle School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wilbur (kathleen H.) Elementary
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern Elementary School
Southern Elementary School is a public elementary school in New Castle, DE, part of Colonial School District. Southern Elementary School serves approximately 743 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #165 of 219 schools in DE.
Structured state assessment records for Southern Elementary School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- DE avg 6.7
What Parents Should Know
Southern Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Test Scores DE DESSA (2024-25)
Based on 90 test records from DE state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.5/10.
How Southern Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
795 Cox Neck Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedar Lane Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lorewood Grove Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Castle, see our New Castle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford (Gunning) Middle School New Castle | 0.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary Bear | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bear | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| St. Georges Technical High School Middletown | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bear | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Lorewood Grove Elementary School Middletown | 3.6 mi | 8.7 |
| AQUINAS ACADEMY Bear | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Leasure (May B.) Elementary School Newark | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| FAIRWINDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bear | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Oberle (William) Elementary School Bear | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center Middletown | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Waters (Alfred G.) Middle School Middletown | 5.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Cedar Lane Elementary School Middletown | 5.5 mi | 8.8 |
| LEARNING EXPRESS ACADEMY Newark | 5.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CARAVEL ACADEMY Bear | 5.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Marshall (Thurgood) Elementary School Newark | 6.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Pleasantville Elementary School New Castle | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Elsinboro Township School Salem | 5.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School Newark | 7.3 mi | 9.3 |
| Keene (William B.) Elementary School Newark | 6.0 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,985
Median Home Value
$242,600
Median Rent
$1,282/mo
Population
60,593
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
67.2%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
39.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| J. Ralph McIlvaine Early Childhood Center Magnolia, DE | 5.3 |
| Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School Dover, DE | 5.3 |
| W. Reily Brown Elementary School Dover, DE | 5.3 |
| Edison (Thomas A.) Charter School Wilmington, DE | 5.0 |
| Brandywine Springs School Wilmington, DE | 5.5 |
| Long Neck Elementary School Millsboro, DE | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Elementary School
What grades does Southern Elementary School serve?
Southern Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Southern Elementary School?
Southern Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 743 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Elementary School rank in DE?
Southern Elementary School ranks #165 of 219 schools in DE.
What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Elementary School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Southern Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southern Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southern Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 743
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- New Castle County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.4%
- Phone
- (302) 832-6300
Resources & Links
District
Colonial School District- District Enrollment
- 8,778
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,018
- District Rank
- #7 of 14
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