Very Good
#42 of 219 schools in DE
Top 19% in state
Southern Elementary School
Elementary School · Colonial School District
795 Cox Neck Road, New Castle, DE 19720
Enrollment
743
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
743
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Castle
#3 of 14
public schools
Delaware elementary schools
#27 of 119
In district
#3 of 14
Colonial School District
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Elementary School
Southern Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in New Castle, Delaware, welcoming 743 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. The school is staffed by 61 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support student learning and development. Academically, Southern Elementary is working to strengthen student performance in core subjects.
Currently, 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 24% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math across grade levels. The school ranks at the 50th percentile among Delaware elementary schools, placing it at #112 out of 220 schools statewide. These metrics suggest the school has meaningful room for academic growth as it continues to focus on building foundational skills in literacy and numeracy.
Southern Elementary is situated in a rural setting near a town, offering families a school rooted in its local community. The combination of reasonable class sizes and a rural location creates an environment where educators can work closely with students as they develop essential academic and social skills during these formative early elementary years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Southern Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores DE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 8.0/10.
How Southern Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 23% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 27% (2022).
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. Marshall (Thurgood) Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lorewood Grove Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Middletown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oberle (William) Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Bear), which scores slightly 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 | 4.8 |
| Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary Bear | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bear | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| St. Georges Technical High School Middletown | 3.4 mi | 7.3 |
| RED LION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bear | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Lorewood Grove Elementary School Middletown | 3.6 mi | 8.8 |
| AQUINAS ACADEMY Bear | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Leasure (May B.) Elementary School Newark | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
| FAIRWINDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bear | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Oberle (William) Elementary School Bear | 5.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center Middletown | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Waters (Alfred G.) Middle School Middletown | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Cedar Lane Elementary School Middletown | 5.5 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 8.9 |
| Pleasantville Elementary School New Castle | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Elsinboro Township School Salem | 5.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Jones (Albert H.) Elementary School Newark | 7.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Keene (William B.) Elementary School Newark | 6.0 mi | 7.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Elementary School has a median household income of $75,985. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,600, with a median rent of $1,282/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| First State Montessori Academy Wilmington, DE | 7.3 |
| Cedar Lane Elementary School Middletown, DE | 7.5 |
| East Side Charter School Wilmington, DE | 7.1 |
| Keene (William B.) Elementary School Newark, DE | 7.1 |
| Lord Baltimore Elementary School Ocean View, DE | 7.1 |
| Rehoboth Elementary School Rehoboth Beach, DE | 7.5 |
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 is ranked #42 out of 219 schools in DE.
What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Elementary School has 23.7% math proficiency and 31.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Castle). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (302) 832-6300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colonial School District- District Enrollment
- 8,778
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,018
- District Rank
- #3 of 14
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.
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