For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 8,311 students in 19720, DE (there are 5 private schools, serving 494 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in 19720, DE are educated in public schools (compared to the DE state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in 19720, DE are Leach (John G.) School, Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School and Pleasantville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 19720 have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Delaware public school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in 19720, DE have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Delaware public schools.
Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public school average of 62% (majority Black).
Best 19720, DE Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: PK-12 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
27 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4074
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4074
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Pleasantville Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Wilmington Manor Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 East Roosevelt Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2901
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 323-2901
Gr: K-5 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Bedford (Gunning) Middle School
(Math: 15% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 846 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #66.
Castle Hills Elementary School
(Math: 22% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #77.
Southern Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
795 Cox Neck Road
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6300
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 832-6300
Gr: K-5 | 729 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Penn (William) High School
(Math: 11% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 2,069 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Charter School Of New Castle
Charter School
(Math: 15% | 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
Gr: K-8 | 788 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Read (George) Middle School
(Math: 11% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: #1212.
Downie (Carrie) Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1313.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1414.
New Castle Elementary School
(Math: 6% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
12 Landers Lane
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4085
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 429-4085
Gr: PK | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in 19720, DE?
The top-ranked public schools in 19720, DE include Leach (John G.) School, Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School and Pleasantville Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in 19720?
15 public schools are located in 19720.
What percentage of students in 19720 go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in 19720 are educated in public schools (compared to the DE state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in 19720?
19720 public schools minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Delaware public schools average of 62% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.