The Delaware Department of Education came out with the 2016 September 30th Enrollment Report. This document shows the head count for each school district and charter school in Delaware public schools. As I predicted, special education students rose again this year. To qualify for special education, a student must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). With the exception of vocational schools, both the traditional school districts and charter schools went up in enrollment statewide. The growth for traditional school districts was anemic at best, with only a .32% increase from last year. Overall state enrollment went up by .9%. Once again, charter schools saw the greatest growth with a rise of 7.8% over last year. No new charter schools opened this year, however many submitted modifications last year to increase enrollments and grades in one case. Other charter schools began new grades this year based on their approved charters. Some districts saw very steady growth but others saw continuing drops.
Traditional districts most affected by declining enrollment are Brandywine, Christina, Delmar, Lake Forest, Milford, Red Clay.
Traditional districts that went down last year but crept back up this year include Caesar Rodney, Capital, Colonial, Seaford, and Smyrna.
Traditional districts that have shown increased enrollments the past three years are Appoquinimink, Cape Henlopen, Indian River, Laurel, and Woodbridge.
The vo-techs in New Castle County Vo-Tech and Polytech had close to the same enrollment they usually have, but Sussex Tech has actually gone down the past two years since they were over the amount they were allowed to have. Legislation forced the district to lower their enrollment.
Most of Delaware’s charter schools showed growth and went up in enrollment. But some charters are showing rather disturbing trends of decreasing enrollment. They include Academy of Dover, Delaware Academy of Public Safety & Security, Family Foundations Academy, and Prestige Academy (may close this year). There are now three charters with over 1,000 students: MOT, Newark Charter School, and Odyssey. NCS is now over 2,300 students but now that they are a full K-12 school that should stay around the same mark. All the charters that opened up last year showed gains but that is to be expected since they added new grades.
It is becoming more clear than ever that the districts around Wilmington (except Colonial) are losing students to charters. With continued grades adding on in the next few years, this trend seems likely to continue. No new charters will open in the 2017-2018 school year, but the charter moratorium ends at the end of that year. The Delaware DOE is accepting new charter applications for the 2018-2019 school year, but thus far, no one has applied. But the deadline for new applications is January 3rd, 2017.
In special education, the charter schools are still much less than the districts in averages. Academy of Dover has gone down in special education percentages by almost twice what they had two years ago. Charter School of Wilmington did go up, but it is only at .8% which is the biggest joke in the state. Other charters with ridiculously low special education percentages are Academia Antonia Alonso, Delaware Military Academy, Early College High School, MOT, Newark Charter School (although they have gone up a bit over the past two years), Odyssey, Providence Creek, Sussex Academy, and Thomas Edison.
Meanwhile, the districts that are losing the most students are rising dramatically in special education students. Christina is now over 20% of their students having an IEP. Most districts have gone up each year over the past three academic years. Those that haven’t are showing very minor fluctuations. As a state, we are now over the 15% mark for students on an IEP. This is very concerning. Not that these students don’t deserve an IEP, but that means more children are struggling with disabilities as time goes on.
As of September 30th, 2016, 2,224 Delaware students are considered “Basic Special Education” in Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. These students don’t get one penny more than their peers. In the 148th General Assembly, our legislators had a chance to do the right thing and correct this gross error in the unit-based funding system, but they sat on it until they found out there wasn’t money for it. But plenty of money went to things that were much less important than schools being able to have the proper funding for 2,224 students with special needs. I will be hounding the 149th General Assembly until this matter is rectified. I’m sure State Rep. Kim Williams, who sponsored House Bill 30 during the last Gen. Assembly, will be right in front of me! This number is down this year, from 2,456 last year, but I have to wonder how many schools just put these students in a complex category. Either that or the rigor of the Smarter Balanced Assessment drove these poor kids to be even more lost without the resources they should have received!
This is the third year I’ve done articles on these reports, so I can see a lot more trends with more data (can’t believe I’m saying that). Looking at one report doesn’t tell you much without comparative data so I have taken the liberty (and most of my day) to put it all together. I’ve also included the other sub-group percentages from the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 years which include English Language Learners, Low-Income Students, African-American Students, Hispanic/Latino Students, and Asian Students. The 2016-2017 percentages for those sub-groups is not available yet. Of special note is Christina School District. Their numbers and percentages in my calculations do include their special schools for DAP programs and other specialized schools. All Intensive Learning Centers are also included in my numbers. The full September 30th report will be on the bottom of this article which includes how many units each traditional school district, vo-tech, and charter school received based on the count.
TOTAL ENROLLMENT DELAWARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2016: 137,217, .9% over 2015, 1.7% over 2014
2015: 136,027, .8% over 2014
2014: 134,932
DELAWARE PUBLIC SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION POPULATIONS
2016: 20,696- 15.1%, 4% over 2015, 12.2% over 2014
2015: 19,870- 14.6%, 8.6% over 2014
2014: 18,168- 13.5%
SPECIAL EDUCATION POPULATION BY TYPE OF SCHOOL
2016
Traditional School Districts: 18,559, 3.9% over 2015, 11.6% over 2014
Vo-Techs: 774, 1.5% over 2015, 0% from 2014
Charters: 1,363, 5.3% over 2015, 27% over 2014
2015
Traditional School Districts: 17,818, 8% over 2014
Vo-Techs: 762, 1.6% under 2014
Charters: 1,290, 22.9% over 2014
2014
Districts: 16,399
Vo-Techs: 774
Charters: 995
TYPE OF SCHOOL TOTAL ENROLLMENT
2016
Traditional School Districts: 114,951, .32% over 2015, .8 % under 2014
Vo-Techs: 7,236, 1.4% under 2015, 1.8% under 2014
Charters: 15,302, 7.8% over 2015, 18.2% over 2014
2015
Traditional School Districts: 114,579, .4% under 2014
Vo-Techs: 7,336, .4% under 2015
Charters: 14,112, 11.3% over 2014
2014
Traditional School Districts: 115,045
Vo-Techs: 7,366
Charters: 12,521
OTHER SUB-GROUPS STATE OF DELAWARE AVERAGES
English Language Learners
2015: 6.4%
2014: 6.0%
Low-Income Students
2015: 36%
2014: 35%
African-American Students
2015: 30.7%
2014: 31.2%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 16%
2014: 15.3%
Asian Students:
2015: 3.7%
2014: 3.6%
TRADITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
APPOQUINIMINK
Special Education Population
2016: 13.1%, 9.1% over 2015, 15.35 over 2014
2015: 11.9%, 6.7% over 2014
2014: 11.1%
Student Count
2016: 10,644, 2.5% over 2015, 7.3% over 2014
2015: 10,378, 4.9% over 2014
2014: 9,870
English Language Learners
2015: 1.6%
2014: 1.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 14.7%
2014: 13.7%
African-American Students
2015: 25.1%
2014: 24.9%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 6.9%
2014: 6.1%
Asian Students
2015: 4.7%
2014: 4.6%
BRANDYWINE
Special Education Population
2016: 14.6%, 1.4% over 2015, 8.9% over 2014
2015: 14.4%, 7.6% over 2014
2014: 13.3%
Student Count
2016: 10,400, 1.7% under 2015, 3.3% under 2014
2015: 10,580, 1.5% under 2014
2014: 10,740
English Language Learners
2015: 4.1%
2014: 3.5%
Low-Income Students
2015: 31%
2014: 29.8%
African-American Students
2015: 37.4%
2014: 37.5%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 5.9%
2014: 5.6%
Asian Students
2015: 6.3%
2014: 6.0%
CAESAR RODNEY (incl. Dover AFB)
Special Education Population
2016: 16.1%, 3.1% over 2015, 8.7% over 2014
2015: 15.6%, 5.8% over 2014
2014: 14.7%
Student Count
2016: 7,323, 1.4% over 2015, 1% over 2014
2015: 7,221, .4% under 2014
2014: 7,249
English Language Learners
2015: 2%
2014: 2.2%
Low-Income Students
2015: 31.2%
2014: 30.9%
African-American Students
2015: 28.3%
2014: 29%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.6%
2014: 7.6%
Asian Students
2015: 3.7%
2014: 3.6%
CAPE HENLOPEN
Special Education Population
2016: 17.4%, .6% over 2015, 6.3% over 2014
2015: 17.3%, 5.8% over 2014
2014: 16.3%
Student Count
2016: 5,256, 1.6% over 2015, 3.4% over 2015
2015: 5,170, 1.9% over 2014
2014: 5,075
English Language Learners
2015: 4.3%
2014: 4.1%
Low-Income Students
2015: 32.8%
2014: 33.8%
African-American Students
2015: 13.7%
2014: 14.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 14.3%
2014: 13.9%
Asian Students
2015: 1.4%
2014: 1.7%
CAPITAL
Special Education Population
2016: 19.9%, 5% over 2015, 12.6% over 2014
2015: 18.9%, 7.9% over 2014
2014: 17.4%
Student Count
2016: 6,523, .6% over 2015, 2.2% under 2014
2015: 6,486, 2.8% under 2014
2014: 6,665
English Language Learners
2015: 4.2%
2014: 3.7%
Low-Income Students
2015: 51.5%
2014: 48.6%
African-American Students
2015: 51.4%
2014: 52.5%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 10.2%
2014: 9.4%
Asian Students
2015: 2.6%
2014: 2.7%
CHRISTINA
Special Education Population
2016: 20.2%, 6.9% over 2015, 11.4% over 2014
2015: 18.8%, 4.8% over 2014
2014: 17.9%
Student Count
2016: 15,076, 3.2% under 2015, 7.8% under 2014
2015: 15,553, 4.5% under 2014
2014: 16,255
English Language Learners
2015: 8.8%
2014: 8.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 43.8%
2014: 41%
African-American Students
2015: 39.6%
2014: 39.8%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 21.2%
2014: 20.4%
Asian Students
2015: 4.9%
2014: 4.4%
COLONIAL
Special Education Population
2016: 17%, 3.5% over 2015, 12.9% over 2014
2015: 16.4%, 9.8% over 2014
2014: 14.8%
Student Count
2016: 9,908, 1.5% over 2015, .8% over 2014
2015: 9,763, .6% under 2014
2014: 9,825
English Language Learners
2015: 8.8%
2014: 8.7%
Low-Income Students
2015: 41.9%
2014: 40%
African-American Students
2015: 43.1%
2014: 43.2%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 20.5%
2014: 20%
Asian Students
2015: 2.9%
2014: 2.9%
DELMAR
Special Education Population
2016: 9.7%, 1% under 2015, 6.2% over 2014
2015: 9.8%, 7.1% over 2014
2014: 9.1%
Student Count
2016: 1,307, 3.1% under 2015, 4.6% under 2014
2015: 1,347, 1.5% under 2014
2014: 1,367
English Language Learners
2015: 3.9%
2014: 5.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 16.9%
2014: 15.3%
African-American Students
2015: 14.2%
2014: 15.7%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 5.9%
2014: 4.6%
Asian Students
2015: 3.2%
2014: 2.9%
INDIAN RIVER
Special Education Population
2016: 17%, 3% over 2015, 5.9% over 2014
2015: 16.5%, 3% over 2014
2014: 16%
Student Count
2016: 10,465, 2.8% over 2015, 6% over 2014
2015: 10,171, 3.2% over 2014
2014: 9,842
English Language Learners
2015: 13.6%
2014: 11.7%
Low-Income Students
2015: 42.1%
2014: 41.7%
African-American Students
2015: 13.3%
2014: 13.9%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 30.4%
2014: 28.8%
Asian Students
2015: 1.3%
2014: 1.3%
LAKE FOREST
Special Education Population
2016: 15.8%, .6% under 2015, 5.7% over 2014
2015: 15.9%, 6.3% over 2014
2014: 14.9%
Student Count
2016: 3,766, .7% under 2015, 1.2% under 2014
2015: 3,794, .4% under 2014
2014: 3,812
English Language Learners
2015: 2%
2014: 1.6%
Low-Income Students
2015: 42.1%
2014: 42.2%
African-American Students
2015: 20.8%
2014: 21.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.5%
2014: 7.8%
Asian Students
2015: .8%
2014: .9%
LAUREL
Special Education Population
2016: 14.8%, 4.7% under 2015, 1.4% under 2014
2015: 15.5%, 3.2% over 2014
2014: 15.0%
Student Count
2016: 2,362, 6% over 2015, 7.8% over 2014
2015: 2,221, 2% over 2014
2014: 2,177
English Language Learners
2015: 7%
2014: 5.6%
Low-Income Students
2015: 54.2%
2014: 53.4%
African-American Students
2015: 30.1%
2014: 30.2%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 11.5%
2014: 10.6%
Asian Students
2015: .9%
2014: 1%
MILFORD
Special Education Population
2016: 14.1%, 0% from 2015, 3.5% over 2014
2015: 14.1%, 3.5% over 2014
2014: 13.6%
Student Count
2016: 4,091, .7% under 2015, 2.6% under 2014
2015: 4,119, 1.9% under 2014
2014: 4,197
English Language Learners
2015: 9.1%
2014: 8.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 45%
2014: 43.9%
African-American Students
2015: 24.3%
2014: 24.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 19%
2014: 18.5%
Asian Students
2015: .9%
2014: .9%
RED CLAY CONSOLIDATED
Special Education Population
2016: 14.1%, 4.3% over 2015, 15.6% over 2014
2015: 13.5%, 12.9% over 2014
2014: 11.9%
Student Count
2016: 15,929, 1% under 2015, 2.3% under 2014
2015: 16,094, 1.3% under 2014
2014: 16,302
English Language Learners
2015: 10.8%
2014: 10.4%
Low-Income Students
2015: 35%
2014: 33.8%
African-American Students
2015: 21.2%
2014: 22.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 25.3%
2014: 24.4%
Asian Students
2015: 6.7%
2014: 6.4%
SEAFORD
Special Education Population
2016: 17.5%, 1.7% over 2015, 2.3% over 2014
2015: 17.2%, .6% over 2014
2014: 17.1%
Student Count
2016: 3,501, .8% over 2015, .2% under 2014
2015: 3,473, 1% under 2014
2014: 3,509
English Language Learners
2015: 11.9%
2014: 10.7%
Low-Income Students
2015: 54.5%
2014: 53.4%
African-American Students
2015: 35.8%
2014: 36.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 17.1%
2014: 16.1%
Asian Students
2015: 1.3%
2014: 1.3%
SMYRNA
Special Education Population
2016: 16.2%, 5.6% over 2015, 11.1% over 2014
2015: 15.3%, 5.9% over 2014
2014: 14.4%
Student Count
2016: 5,382, 2.8% over 2015, 1.9% over 2014
2015: 5,233, .9% under 2014
2014: 5,279
English Language Learners
2015: 1.2%
2014: 1.2%
Low-Income Students
2015: 25.9%
2014: 27.3%
African-American Students
2015: 26.8%
2014: 27.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.7%
2014: 7%
Asian Students
2015: 1.5%
2014: 1.5%
WOODBRIDGE
Special Education Population
2016: 13.5%, 7.4% over 2015, 7.4% over 2014
2015: 12.5%, 0% from 2014
2014: 12.5%
Student Count
2016: 2,507, 1.6% over 2015, 4.9% over 2014
2015: 2,466, 3.3% over 2014
2014: 2,384
English Language Learners
2015: 8.2%
2014: 8.5%
Low-Income Students
2015: 49.6%
2014: 49.6%
African-American Students
2015: 27%
2014: 27.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 20.8%
2014: 19.9%
Asian Students
2015: .8%
2014: .9%
VO-TECH SCHOOLS
NEW CASTLE COUNTY VO-TECH
Special Education Population
2016: 12.2%, 31.1% over 2015, 25.4% over 2014
2015: 8.4%, 8.3% under 2014
2016: 9.1%
Student Count
2016: 4,692, .1% under 2015, 1.3% over 2014
2015: 4,698, 1.5% over 2014
2014: 4,629
English Language Learners
2015: 3%
2014: 3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 28%
2014: 26.9%
African-American Students
2015: 42.8%
2014: 42.8%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 19.3%
2014: 16.9%
Asian Students
2015: 1.1%
2014: 1.2%
POLYTECH
Special Education Population
2016: 8.5%, 1.2% over 2015, 7% under 2014
2015: 8.4%, 8.3% under 2014
2014: 9.1%
Student Count
2016: 1,200, .5% over 2015, .7% over 2014
2015: 1,194, .2% over 2014
2014: 1,192
English Language Learners
2015: .3%
2014: .3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 18.8%
2014: 15.7%
African-American Students
2015: 19.9%
2014: 18.7%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.4%
2014: 6%
Asian Students
2015: 1.8%
2014: 1.3%
SUSSEX TECH
Special Education Population
2016: 7.5%, 8% over 2015, 8% over 2014
2015: 6.9%, 0% from 2014
2014: 6.9%
Student Count
2016: 1,344, 7.4% under 2015, 15% under 2014
2015: 1,444, 7% under 2014
2014: 1,545
English Language Learners
2015: .4%
2014: .5%
Low-Income Students
2015: 19%
2014: 19.6%
African-American Students
2015: 13.9%
2014: 17.9%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 11.8%
2014: 12.4%
Asian Students
2015: 1.9%
2014: 1.8%
CHARTER SCHOOLS
ACADEMIA ANTONIA ALONSO (K-3)
Special Education Population
*2016: 3.4%, 35.3% over 2015, 73.5% over 2014
*2015: 2.2%, 59.1% over 2014, *K-2
*2014: .9%, *K-1
*was K-1 in 2014, K-2 in 2015, and K-3 in 2016
Student Count
2016: 415, 22.9% over 2015, 46.7% over 2014
2015: 320, 31% over 2014
2014: 221
English Language Learners
2015: 24.7%
2014: 14%
Low-Income Students
2015: 73.1%
2014: 70.1%
African-American Students
2015: 41.3%
2014: 43.9%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 52.2%
2014: 51.6%
Asian Students
2015: 0%
2014: .9%
ACADEMY OF DOVER (K-5)
Special Education Population
2016: 6.1%, 55.7% under 2015, 91.8% under 2014
2015: 9.5%, 23.2% under 2014
2014: 11.7%
Student Count
2016: 247, 15% under 2015, 17.4% under 2014
2015: 284, 2.1% under 2014
2014: 290
English Language Learners
2015: 1.8%
2014: 1.4%
Low-Income Students
2015: 65.8%
2014: 64.8%
African-American Students
2015: 78.2%
2014: 81%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 11.3%
2014: 9%
Asian Students
2015: 1.1%
2014: .7%
CAMPUS COMMUNITY SCHOOL (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 9%, 25.6% over 2015, 8% over 2014
2015: 6.7%, 23.9% under 2014
2014: 8.3%
Student Count
2016: 413, 1% under 2015, .7% over 2014
2015: 417, 1.7% over 2014
2014: 410
English Language Learners
2015: .5%
2014: 1.5%
Low-Income Students
2015: 46%
2014: 38.3%
African-American Students
2015: 50.1%
2014: 46.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 10.3%
2014: 8.8%
Asian Students
2015: 1.9%
2014: 2.2%
CHARTER SCHOOL OF WILMINGTON (9-12)
Special Education Population
2016: .8%, 37.5% over 2015, 75% over 2014
2015: .5%, 60% over 2014
2014: .2%
Student Count
2016: 971, .1% under 2015, .1% under 2014
2015: 972, 0% from 2014
2014: 972
English Language Learners
2015: .2%
2014: .1%
Low-Income Students
2015: 3.7%
2014: 2.3%
African-American Students
2015: 6.8%
2014: 6%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 3.5%
2014: 3.3%
Asian Students
2015: 28.7%
2014: 26.4%
DELAWARE ACADEMY OF PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY (9-12)
Special Education Population
2016: 25.2%, 22.6% over 2015, 34.5% over 2014
2015: 19.5%, 15.4% over 2014
2014: 16.5%
Student Count
*2016: 270, 12.2% under 2015, 34.4% under 2014
2015: 303, 19.8% under 2014
2014: 363
*major modification to decrease 22%, currently under 80% of modified enrollment of 375 at 76%
English Language Learners
2015: 3.6%
2014: 3.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 32.3%
2014: 27%
African-American Students
2015: 30.7%
2014: 29.8%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 17.5%
2014: 14.9%
Asian Students
2015: 1.3%
2014: 3.3%
DELAWARE DESIGN-LAB HIGH SCHOOL (9-11)
Special Education Population
2016: 25%, 19.5% over 2015
2015: 20.6%
Student Count
*2016: 272, 14.3% over 2015
2015: 233
*major modification to decrease total enrollment by 15% over next five years, 9-10 in 2015-2016, 9-11 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 1.7%
Low-Income Students
2015: 38.2%
African-American Students
2015: 49.4%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 12.9%
Asian Students
2015: 4.3%
DELAWARE MILITARY ACADEMY (9-12)
Special Education Population
2016: 3.4%, 14.7% under 2015, 11.8% over 2014
2015: 3.9%, 23% over 2014
2014: 3%
Student Count
2016: 584, 3.4% over 2015, 2.6% over 2014
2015: 564, .9% under 2014
2014: 569
English Language Learners
2015: .2%
2014: .2%
Low-Income Students
2015: 6.7%
2014: 6.9%
African-American Students
2015: 5.5%
2014: 5.6%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.4%
2014: 7%
Asian Students
2015: 1.4%
2014: 1.9%
EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL (9-11)
Special Education Population
2016: 5.9%, 84.7% under 2015, 61% over 2014
2015: 10.5%, 78.1% over 2014
2014: 2.3%
Student Count
*2016: 289, 27.7% over 2015, 55.4% over 2014
*2015: 209, 38.3% over 2014
*2014: 129
*was 9th grade in 2014-2015, 9-10 in 2015-2016, 9-11 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 1%
2014: .8%
Low-Income Students
2015: 33%
2014: 34.1%
African-American Students
2015: 74.2%
2014: 58.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 6.7%
2014: 10.9%
Asian Students
2015: 1%
2014: 2.3%
EASTSIDE CHARTER SCHOOL (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 12.8%, .8% under 2015, 16.4% under 2014
2015: 12.9%, 14.7% under 2014
2014: 14.8%
Student Count
2016: 446, .7% over 2015, 6.3% over 2014
2015: 443, 5.6% over 2014
2014: 418
English Language Learners
2015: 3.4%
2014: 4.1%
Low-Income Students
2015: 80.1%
2014: 77.3%
African-American Students
2015: 88.5%
2014: 87.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 11.3%
2014: 11.7%
Asian Students
2015: 0%
2014: 0%
FAMILY FOUNDATIONS ACADEMY (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 8%, 7.5% under 2015, 33.8% over 2014
2015: 8.6%, 38.4% over 2014
2014: 5.3%
Student Count
2016: 759, 4.3% under 2015, 6.9% under 2014
2015: 792, 2.4% under 2014
2016: 811
English Language Learners
2015: 2.5%
2014: 1.8%
Low-Income Students
2015: 51%
2014: 44.4%
African-American Students
2015: 79.8%
2014: 79.9%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 9.7%
2014: 12.5%
Asian Students
2015: 1.5%
2014: 1.5%
FIRST STATE MILITARY ACADEMY (9-11)
Special Education Population
2016: 18.1%, 6.6% under 2015
2015: 19.3%
Student Count
*2016: 288, 29.9% over 2015
*2015: 202
*was 9-10 in 2015-2016, 9-11 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: .5%
Low-Income Students
2015: 35.6%
African-American Students
2015: 24.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 9.4%
Asian Students
2015: 1%
FIRST STATE MONTESSORI ACADEMY (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 8.4%, 11.9% over 2015, 35.7% over 2014
2015: 7.4%, 27% over 2014
2014: 5.4%
Student Count
*2016: 428, 24.1% over 2015, 34.6% over 2014
*2015: 325, 13.8% over 2014
*2014: 280
* major modification to increase 15%, added 7-8, was K-6 in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, is K-8 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 1.2%
2014: 1.8%
Low-Income Students
2015: 8.3%
2014: 10%
African-American Students
2015: 18.8%
2014: 22.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 6.5%
2014: 8.6%
Asian Students
2015: 7.1%
2014: 6.1%
FREIRE CHARTER SCHOOL (8-10)
Special Education Population
2016: 16.2%, 60.5% over 2015
2015: 6.4%
Student Count
*2016: 322, 27.3% over 2015
*2015: 234
*was 8-9 in 2015-2016, 8-10 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 3.4%
Low-Income Students
2015: 45.3%
African-American Students
2015: 64.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 13.7%
Asian Students
2015: 3.8%
GATEWAY LAB SCHOOL (3-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 55.2%, 10.1% under 2015, 8.5% under 2014
2015: 60.8%, 8.1% over 2014
2014: 59.9%
Student Count
2016: 221, 4.1% over 2015, 4.1% over 2014
2015: 212, 0% from 2014
2014: 212
English Language Learners
2015: .9%
2014: .9%
Low-Income Students
2015: 31.1%
2014: 20.8%
African-American Students
2015: 29.7%
2014: 23.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.5%
2014: 8%
Asian Students
2015: 1.4%
2014: 2.4%
GREAT OAKS CHARTER SCHOOL (6-7)
Special Education Population
2016: 18.4%, 13% over 2015
2015: 16%
Student Count
*2016: 343, 38.2% over 2015
*2015: 212
*minor modification approved for 8% increase, was 6th grade in 2015-2016, 6-7 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 3.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 54.7%
African-American Students
2015: 75%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 14.6%
Asian Students
2015: .5%
KUUMBA ACADEMY (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 11.3%, 7.1% over 2015, 44.2% over 2014
2015: 10.5%, 94% over 2014
2014: 6.3%
Student Count
*2016: 744, 13.4% over 2015, 37.6% over 2014
2015: 644, 28% over 2014
*2014: 464
*minor modification to increase by 14.9%, was K-7 in 2-14-2015, K-8 in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: .8%
2014: .9%
Low-Income Students
2015: 61%
2014: 58%
African-American Students
2015: 92.5%
2014: 91.6%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 6.7%
2014: 6.9%
Asian Students
2015: 0%
2014: .4%
LAS AMERICAS ASPIRAS ACADEMY (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 8.7%. 2.3% over 2015, 34.5% over 2014
2015: 8.5%, 32.9% over 2014
2014: 5.7%
Student Count
2016: 698, 8.5% over 2015, 22.5% over 2014
2015: 639, 15.3% over 2014
2014: 541
English Language Learners
2015: 26%
2014: 30.3%
Low-Income Students
2015: 28.3%
2014: 25%
African-American Students
2015: 13.9%
2014: 15%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 56.7%
2014: 57.3%
Asian Students
2015: 2%
2014: 2.8%
MOT CHARTER SCHOOL (K-11)
Special Education Population
2016: 6%, 13.3% under 2015, 1.7% under 2014
2015: 6.8%, 10.3% over 2014
2014: 6.1%
Student Count
*2016: 1,159, 12.6% over 2015, 25% over 2014
*2015: 1,013, 14.2% over 2014
*2014: 869
*was K-9 in 2014-2015, K-10 in 2015-2016, K-11 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 1.7%
2014: 1.6%
Low-Income Students
2015: 5.9%
2014: 5.9%
African-American Students
2015: 20.3%
2014: 18.4%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 7.1%
2014: 7.2%
Asian Students
2015: 9.6%
2014: 9.2%
NEWARK CHARTER SCHOOL (K-12)
Special Education Population
2016: 6.9%, 7.2% over 2015, 18.8% over 2014
2015: 6.4%, 12.5% over 2014
2014: 5.6%
Student Count
*2016: 2,322, 7.8% over 2015, 16.1% over 2014
*2015: 2,140, 9% over 2014
*2014: 1,948
*was K-10 in 2014-2015, K-11 in 2015-2016, K-12 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 2.4%
2014: 2.5%
Low-Income Students
2015: 7.9%
2014: 7.2%
African-American Students
2015: 11.1%
2014: 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 5%
2014: 4.4%
Asian Students
2015: 13%
2014: 12.9%
ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL (K-9)
Special Education Population
2016: 5.5%, 10.9% over 2015, 20% over 2014
2015: 4.9%, 10.2% over 2014
2014: 4.4%
Student Count
*2016: 1,440, 20.8% over 2015, 35.2% over 2014
*2015: 1,140, 18.2% over 2014
*2014: 933%
*minor modification to increase by 14.92% for 2016-2017, was K-7 in 2014-2015, K-8 in 2015-2016, K-9 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: .3%
2014: .4%
Low-Income Students
2015: 17.4%
2014: 17.9%
African-American Students
2015: 22.1%
2014: 22.1%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 5.9%
2014: 6%
Asian Students
2015: 8.1%
2014: 7.1%
POSITIVE OUTCOMES (7-12)
Special Education Population
2016: 66.4%, 5.6% over 2015, .8% over 2014
2015: 62.7%, 5.1% under 2014
2014: 65.9%
Student Count
2016: 125, .8% under 2015, .8% under 2014
2015: 126, 0% from 2014
2014: 126
English Language Learners
2015: 0%
2014: 0%
Low-Income Students
2015: 27.8%
2014: 31.7%
African-American Students
2015: 23%
2014: 23.8%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 4%
2014: 4%
Asian Students
2015: .8%
2014: .8%
PRESTIGE ACADEMY (6-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 19.6%, 38.8% under 2015, 12.2% under 2014
2015: 27.2%, 19.1% over 2014
2014: 22%
Student Count
*2016: 143, 54.6% under 2015, 72% under 2014
*2015: 224, 9.8% under 2014
2014: 246
*major modification to drop 5th grade in 2016-2017 school year, may close this year at request of Board of Directors, was 5-8 in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, 6-8 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: 2.2%
2014: 1.2%
Low-Income Students
2015: 64.3%
2014: 58.1%
African-American Students
2015: 89.7%
2014: 94.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 8%
2014: 2%
Asian Students
2015: 0%
2014: 0%
PROVIDENCE CREEK ACADEMY (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 4.7%, 8.5% under 2015, 8.5% under 2014
2015: 5.1%, 0% from 2014
2014: 5.1%
Student Count
2016: 700, 1.4% over 2015, 1.7% over 2014
2015: 690, .3% over 2014
2014: 688
English Language Learners
2015: 0%
2014: .6%
Low-Income Students
2015: 19.4%
2014: 18.3%
African-American Students
2015: 27.5%
2014: 27.3%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 4.5%
2014: 4.1%
Asian Students
2015: 2.2%
2014: 1.9%
SUSSEX ACADEMY (6-12)
Special Education Population
2016: 4.1%, 19.5% under 2015, 12.2% over 2014
2015: 4.9%, 26.5% over 2014
2014: 3.6%
Student Count
*2016: 692, 14.2% over 2015, 28% over 2014
*2015: 594, 16.2% over 2014
*2014: 498
*was 6-10 in 2014-2015, 6-11 in 2015-2016, 6-12 in 2016-2017
English Language Learners
2015: .7%
2014: .4%
Low-Income Students
2015: 10.4%
2014: 7.8%
African-American Students
2015: 5.2%
2014: 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 8.6%
2014: 9.6%
Asian Students
2015: 3.4%
2014: 4%
THOMAS EDISON CHARTER SCHOOL (K-8)
Special Education Population
2016: 6.6%, 6.1% under 2015, 7.6% under 2014
2015: 7%, 1.4% under 2014
2014: 7.1%
Student Count
2016: 739, 2.6% under 2015, .8% under 2014
2015: 758, 1.7% over 2014
2014: 745
English Language Learners
2015: .3%
2014: .4%
Low-Income Students
2015: 78.6%
2014: 76.2%
African-American Students
2015: 97.8%
2014: 97.2%
Hispanic/Latino Students
2015: 1.2%
2014: 1.6%
Asian Students
2015: 0%
2014: 0%
Note: In 2014-2015, the following charter schools closed at the end of the year: Moyer &Reach Academy for Girls. In 2015-2016, the following charter schools closed at the end of the year: Delaware College Prep and Delaware Met (which closed mid-year).
The Season Of Myths 
Delaware really does segregation right, don’t they. Charters are clearly a new version of the old southern strategies put in place after Brown V. Board. The demographics, including Spec. Ed. percentages, tell the story well. Just look at Newark Charter vs. Christina School District (also the likely name of their upcoming lawsuit – LOL). Christina serves ever increasing numbers of low income (way under-reported by the Dept. of Ed.) and Special Education students while Newark Charter creams it’s 5-mile radius for middle class families with minimal educational (or other) challenges. And the State of Delaware watches and gives it’s thumbs up. And now NCS has the nerve to sue for more money. Christina ought to be counter-suing for breach of the unwritten ethical contract NCS has to serve the public in an equitable manner. The real costs associated with high concentrations of impoverished students, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners is completely under-appreciated. In fact, it is willfully ignored by our political leaders as well as the public in general. But the real cost is of no concern as long as there is an escape valve where one can find a school serving students just like one’s own, away from the under-funded neighborhood schools serving all comers. Shame on the State of Delaware, it’s political leaders, and it’s Dept. of Education.
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Agreed. Want an equity plan, all non-traditional schools’ demographics, which include charters and vo-tech schools must reflect the county averages for poverty, sp. ed., etc. or no state monies. No more private schools with public money.
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