McKean (Thomas) High School

Summary:

McKean (Thomas) High School is a public high school in Wilmington, Delaware, serving 927 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Red Clay Consolidated School District, which is ranked 14 out of 32 districts in the state.

Despite being part of a moderately ranked district, McKean (Thomas) High School has consistently ranked near the bottom of Delaware high schools, receiving 0 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger. The school's students significantly underperform on standardized assessments compared to state and district averages, with only 19.08% of 11th-graders proficient in SAT/English Language Arts, 2.89% in SAT/Mathematics, and 5.52% in DeSSA/Science. McKean (Thomas) High School also faces high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 40.0% in the 2022-2023 school year, and declining graduation rates, dropping from 89.0% in 2018-2019 to 84.8% in 2021-2022.

When compared to other high schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District, McKean (Thomas) High School consistently underperforms. For example, the nearby Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts and Conrad Schools of Science significantly outperform McKean (Thomas) High School on academic assessments and have much lower chronic absenteeism rates. Additionally, the school's performance is particularly concerning for certain student subgroups, such as Hispanic and low socioeconomic status students, who rank among the lowest in the state.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 301 McKennan's Church Road
       Wilmington, DE  19808-1398


(302) 992-5520

District: Red Clay Consolidated School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
40th of 41 Delaware High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,132 Help


Feeder schools for McKean (Thomas) High School:

Elementary:    Baltz (Austin D.) Elementary School
    Linden Hill Elementary School
    Mote (Anna P.) Elementary School
Middle:    Stanton Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.0 Help
Number of students:  927

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
43.5%
African American:
27.1%
White:
25.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  47.8% Help


 See top rated Delaware high schools

 Compare McKean (Thomas) High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details McKean (Thomas) High School ranks worse than 97.6% of high schools in Delaware. It also ranks last among 5 ranked high schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.84. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of McKean (Thomas) High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at McKean (Thomas) High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (43.5%), African American (27.1%), White (25%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at McKean (Thomas) High School is 13, which is the lowest among 5 high schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare McKean (Thomas) High School employs 71 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at McKean (Thomas) High School is $18,132, which is the highest among 5 high schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

McKean (Thomas) High School:

SchoolDigger ranks McKean (Thomas) High School 40th of 41 Delaware public high schools. (See McKean (Thomas) High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Red Clay Consolidated School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Red Clay Consolidated School District 14th of 32 Delaware school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for McKean (Thomas) High School

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Rank History for all students at McKean (Thomas) High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 13.72 25th 27 7.4%
2012 7.33 26th 27 3.7%
2013 7.56 26th 26 0.0%
2014 2.25 14th 14 0.0%
2015 9.08 33rd 35 5.7%
2016 7.80 30th 31 3.2%
2017 6.99 30th 30 0.0%
2018 7.80 30th 30 0.0%
2019 6.05 40th 40 0.0%
2021 4.40 39th 39 0.0%
2022 5.78 38th 39 2.6%
2023 7.98 38th 39 2.6%
2024 11.84 40th 41 2.4%
See the entire list of Delaware High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at McKean (Thomas) High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 24.68 24th 32 25.0%
See the entire list of Best Delaware High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at McKean (Thomas) High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 2.61 41st 41 0.0%
2023 7.48 37th 38 2.6%
2024 8.99 38th 39 2.6%
See the entire list of Best Delaware High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at McKean (Thomas) High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 5.81 41st 41 0.0%
2023 6.51 38th 38 0.0%
2024 10.73 38th 39 2.6%
See the entire list of Best Delaware High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at McKean (Thomas) High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 1.94 19th 19 0.0%
2022 11.66 22nd 22 0.0%
2024 12.05 29th 31 6.5%
See the entire list of Best Delaware High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at McKean (Thomas) High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 5.51 35th 35 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Delaware High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Delaware Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

McKean (Thomas) High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Delaware Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for McKean (Thomas) High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 638 183 16 33 0 n/a n/a 0 870
1989 620 169 18 28 0 n/a n/a 0 835
1990 633 173 29 28 n/a n/a n/a 0 863
1991 606 184 26 37 0 n/a n/a 0 853
1992 549 147 25 45 0 n/a n/a 0 766
1993 515 162 22 51 0 n/a n/a 0 750
1994 539 166 20 55 0 n/a n/a 0 780
1995 686 201 19 72 1 n/a n/a 0 979
1996 686 201 19 72 1 n/a n/a 0 979
1997 830 231 24 89 1 n/a n/a 0 1175
1998 894 266 28 86 2 n/a n/a 0 1276
1999 937 297 33 91 1 n/a n/a 0 1359
2000 889 228 36 91 0 n/a n/a 0 1244
2001 926 246 33 94 1 n/a n/a 0 1300
2002 832 279 27 117 1 n/a n/a 0 1256
2003 832 279 27 117 1 n/a n/a 0 1256
2004 747 290 25 126 1 n/a n/a 0 1189
2005 612 311 26 137 0 n/a n/a 0 1086
2006 551 292 31 227 2 n/a n/a 0 1103
2007 481 301 29 250 1 n/a n/a 0 1062
2008 419 286 18 262 0 n/a n/a 0 985
2009 380 307 18 268 0 n/a n/a 0 973
2010 348 253 22 258 0 n/a n/a 0 881
2011 346 256 20 283 0 1 5 0 911
2012 364 220 17 280 2 0 14 0 897
2013 326 210 15 293 1 0 19 0 864
2014 309 231 10 298 3 0 22 0 873
2015 272 206 5 283 2 0 28 0 796
2016 260 238 6 274 1 1 20 0 800
2017 226 242 10 265 3 0 13 0 759
2018 248 258 9 299 3 0 8 0 825
2019 257 248 9 316 8 0 10 0 848
2020 274 254 10 361 7 0 14 0 920
2021 273 228 10 376 3 0 21 0 911
2022 262 233 10 403 5 0 24 0 937
2023 232 251 11 403 6 0 24 0 927

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at McKean (Thomas) High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 870 57.0 15.2 7.1
1989 835 53.0 15.7 6.5
1990 863 53.0 16.2 4.6
1991 853 50.0 17.0 6.1
1992 766 42.0 18.2 7.6
1993 750 43.0 17.4 16
1994 780 43.0 18.1 19.9
1995 979 56.0 17.5 17.6
1996 979 56.0 17.5 17.6
1997 1175 59.0 19.9 14.7
1998 1276 72.5 17.6 21.9
1999 1359 74.5 18.2 21.9
2000 1244 77.0 16.2 23
2001 1300 76.0 17.1 19.9
2002 1256 78.0 16.1 24.3
2003 1256 78.0 16.1 24.3
2004 1189 73.0 16.3 27.8
2005 1086 66.0 16.5 28.4
2006 1103 68.0 16.2 34
2007 1062 63.0 16.9 41.2
2008 985 58.0 17.0 44.5
2009 973 57.5 16.9 52.5
2010 881 57.5 15.3 59.3
2011 911 65.0 14.0 59.7
2012 897 59.0 15.2 64.3
2013 864 63.0 13.7 64.8
2014 873 64.0 13.6 44.8
2015 796 59.0 13.4 42.8
2016 800 59.0 13.5 47.8
2017 759 55.0 13.8 n/a
2018 825 58.0 14.2 n/a
2019 848 58.0 14.6 n/a
2020 920 66.0 13.9 n/a
2021 911 67.0 13.5 n/a
2022 937 68.0 13.7 n/a
2023 927 71.0 13.0 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio McKean (Thomas) High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 870 57.0 15.2 7.1
1989 835 53.0 15.7 6.5
1990 863 53.0 16.2 4.6
1991 853 50.0 17.0 6.1
1992 766 42.0 18.2 7.6
1993 750 43.0 17.4 16
1994 780 43.0 18.1 19.9
1995 979 56.0 17.5 17.6
1996 979 56.0 17.5 17.6
1997 1175 59.0 19.9 14.7
1998 1276 72.5 17.6 21.9
1999 1359 74.5 18.2 21.9
2000 1244 77.0 16.2 23
2001 1300 76.0 17.1 19.9
2002 1256 78.0 16.1 24.3
2003 1256 78.0 16.1 24.3
2004 1189 73.0 16.3 27.8
2005 1086 66.0 16.5 28.4
2006 1103 68.0 16.2 34
2007 1062 63.0 16.9 41.2
2008 985 58.0 17.0 44.5
2009 973 57.5 16.9 52.5
2010 881 57.5 15.3 59.3
2011 911 65.0 14.0 59.7
2012 897 59.0 15.2 64.3
2013 864 63.0 13.7 64.8
2014 873 64.0 13.6 44.8
2015 796 59.0 13.4 42.8
2016 800 59.0 13.5 47.8
2017 759 55.0 13.8 n/a
2018 825 58.0 14.2 n/a
2019 848 58.0 14.6 n/a
2020 920 66.0 13.9 n/a
2021 911 67.0 13.5 n/a
2022 937 68.0 13.7 n/a
2023 927 71.0 13.0 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for McKean (Thomas) High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $348 (1.9%) $22,168 (122.3%) $18,132

Data source: Delaware Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on McKean (Thomas) High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 40th of 40 High schoolsRanks 38th of 39 High schools
 2.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (McKean (Thomas) High School)12.416.4
 4%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Red Clay Consolidated School District)61.858.7
 3.1%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Delaware)48.544.2
 4.3%
11th Grade Mathematics (McKean (Thomas) High School)3.63.9
 0.4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Red Clay Consolidated School District)43.238.3
 4.8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Delaware)28.322.9
 5.4%
11th Grade Essay (McKean (Thomas) High School)6.810.2
 3.4%
   11th Grade Essay (Red Clay Consolidated School District)48.650.9
 2.3%
   11th Grade Essay (Delaware)42.941.5
 1.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students848927
 9.3%
African American248251
 1.2%
American Indian86
 25%
Asian911
 22.2%
Hispanic316403
 27.5%
Pacific Islander00
White257232
 9.7%
Two or More Races1024
 140%


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Frequently Asked Questions about McKean (Thomas) High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 927 students attended McKean (Thomas) High School.

McKean (Thomas) High School ranks in the bottom 2.4% of Delaware high schools.

Students at McKean (Thomas) High School are 43% Hispanic, 27% African American, 25% White, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Delaware Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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