For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 8,479 students in New Castle, DE (there are 4 private schools, serving 352 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in New Castle, DE are educated in public schools (compared to the DE state average of 87%).
The top ranked public schools in New Castle, DE are Leach (John G.) School, Pleasantville Elementary School and Southern Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Castle, DE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the Delaware public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in New Castle have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Delaware public schools.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public school average of 61% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in New Castle, DE (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Leach (John G.) School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
10 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4055
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4055
Grades: PK-12
| 86 students
Rank: #22.
Pleasantville Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16 Pleasant Street
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2935
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2935
Grades: K-5
| 384 students
Rank: #33.
Southern Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
795 Cox Neck Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6300
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6300
Grades: K-5
| 743 students
Rank: #44.
The Colwyck Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
12 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4085
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4085
Grades: PK
| 198 students
Rank: #55.
Bedford (Gunning) Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Cox Neck Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6280
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6280
Grades: 6-8
| 908 students
Rank: #66.
Wilmington Manor Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 East Roosevelt Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2901
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2901
Grades: K-8
| 368 students
Rank: #77.
Penn (William) High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
713 East Basin Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2800
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2800
Grades: 9-12
| 2,077 students
Rank: #88.
Castle Hills Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
502 Moores Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2915
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2915
Grades: K-5
| 479 students
Rank: #99.
Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
27 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4074
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4074
Grades: K-5
| 415 students
Rank: #1010.
Charter School Of New Castle
Charter School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
170 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 324-8901
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 324-8901
Grades: K-8
| 764 students
Rank: #1111.
Read (George) Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
314 East Basin Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2760
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2760
Grades: 6-8
| 688 students
Rank: #1212.
The Wallace Wallin School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
701 East Basin Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2952
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2952
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: #1313.
Downie (Carrie) Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Delaware Street
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2926
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2926
Grades: K-5
| 356 students
Rank: #1414.
Mccullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
20 Chase Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4000
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4000
Grades: 6-8
| 625 students
Rank: #1515.
New Castle Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
903 Delaware Street
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2880
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2880
Grades: K-5
| 388 students
New Castle, Delaware Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Baylor Womens Correctional Institution (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
660 Baylor Boulevard
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-3004
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-3004
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
29 Chase Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4000
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4000
Grades: PK-5
| 882 students
801 North Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-6050
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-6050
Grades: 9-12
| 228 students
109 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 993-6993
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 993-6993
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Multiple Alternative Program High School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
626 Wilmington Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-1718
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 322-1718
Grades: 9-12
| 72 students
903 Delaware Street
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2880
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2880
Grades: 6-8
| 557 students
New Castle School (Colonial Ilc) (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
903 Delaware St
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2880
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2880
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
287 Christiana Rd
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 325-6508
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 325-6508
Grades: 1-12
| n/a students
170 Lukens Dr
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 573-7760
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 573-7760
Grades: 9-12
| 411 students
170 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 654-3720
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 654-3720
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in New Castle, DE?
The top ranked public schools in New Castle, DE include Leach (John G.) School, Pleasantville Elementary School and Southern Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in New Castle?
15 public schools are located in New Castle.
What percentage of students in New Castle go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in New Castle are educated in public schools (compared to the DE state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Castle?
New Castle public schools minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public schools average of 61% (majority Black).
Which public schools in New Castle are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in New Castle include: Mccullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School vs. Read (George) Middle School, Read (George) Middle School vs. Mccullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School, The Wallace Wallin School vs. Leach (John G.) School
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