Colonial School District operates 31 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Colonial School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 16,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 31 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $16,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Suburban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Above average |
- Southern Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 729 students
- Leach (John G.) School — Grades PK–12 · 95 students
- Wilmington Manor Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 291 students
- Pleasantville Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 389 students
- Eisenberg (Harry O.) Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 436 students
- The Colwyck Center — Grades PK–PK · 222 students
- Castle Hills Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 462 students
- Downie (Carrie) Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 324 students
- Read (George) Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 662 students
- Bedford (Gunning) Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 846 students
- Penn (William) High School — Grades 9–12 · 2069 students
- Wilbur (Kathleen H.) Elementary — Grades K–5 · 1052 students
- McCullough (Calvin R. ) Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 615 students
- New Castle Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 383 students
- The Wallace Wallin School — Grades 15–15 · 0 students
- duPont (H.B.) Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 764 students
- Stanton Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 558 students
- duPont (Alexis I.) Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 455 students
- Skyline Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 408 students
- McKean (Thomas) High School — Grades 9–12 · 920 students
- duPont (Alexis I.) High School — Grades 9–12 · 550 students
- Conrad Schools of Science — Grades 6–12 · 1,164 students
- Dickinson (John) School — Grades 6–12 · 1,027 students
- Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts — Grades 6–12 · 941 students
- Brandywine Springs School — Grades K–8 · 941 students
- Meadowood Program — Grades K–12 · 119 students
- First State School — Grades 1–11 · 21 students
About Colonial School District
Colonial School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 19720 in New Castle, Delaware. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 19720. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Colonial School District runs approximately $16,500 annually, placing it near the Delaware state average of approximately $16,500 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Colonial School District is a large district with 15 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 9,132 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Colonial School District 1 out of 10 — low-rated among Delaware public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Delaware is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Colonial School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Delaware on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 19720
Children in zip code 19720 are assigned to Colonial School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 19720, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Colonial School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Delaware districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in New Castle
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Colonial School District serves zip code 19720, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 19720. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Delaware, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Colonial School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 19720.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Colonial School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 19720 data.