Cape students show improved performance on state assessments

The Cape Henlopen School District announced its students demonstrated improved academic performance on the 2024-25 Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium results, reflecting the district’s continuing commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence and its efforts to close the achievement gap.

According to the 2024-25 state assessment data released by the Delaware Department of Education, Cape students scored well above the state average in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3-8. Most notably, the district showed gains over last year’s results in English Language Learners subgroup for ELA and in Math for the Low-Income Student subgroup for math. The district also made notable improvements in the ELA proficiency scores for low-income students over the last three years.

“These results are a testament to the continuous hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the support of our families and community,” said Dr. Jenny Nauman, Cape Henlopen superintendent. “While we are proud of the distinguished progress, we will continue to look at areas where improvement needs to be made. We will remain diligent and focused on ensuring all students and staff have the resources and opportunities they need to be successful in every classroom, every day. I am most proud of the strides we are making toward closing the opportunity gap, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has access to an excellent education.”

Highlights from the 2024-25 results include:

In Grades 3-8 ELA scores, Cape earned 58% proficiency, the highest district in the state, and 17% higher than the state average. ELL students earned a 21% proficiency, which is 6% higher than the statewide ELL average of 15%. Low-income students earned 37% proficiency, which is 13% higher than the statewide low-income student average of 24%. Notable improvement was also made over the last three years in the ELA proficiency scores for low-income students (32% in 2023, 35% in 2024, and 37% in 2025).

For Grades 3-8 Math scores, Cape earned 52% proficiency, the highest district in the state, and 18% higher than the state average. ELL students earned a 25% proficiency, which is 10% higher than the statewide ELL average of 15%. Low-income students earned 26% proficiency, which is 9% higher than the statewide low-income student average of 17%.

Students with disabilities earned 17% proficiency, which is 7% higher than the statewide average of 10% for students with disabilities.

In Grade 11 SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing scores, Cape students scored 63% proficiency, which is 16% higher than the state average of 47%. For Grade 11 SAT Math scores, Cape students scored 30% proficiency, which is 12% higher than the state average of 18%.

The district attributes its success to strategic instructional practices, targeted intervention programs and an emphasis on individualized learning support. The district will continue analyzing the data to guide instruction and further close achievement gaps.

“Our schools are committed to continuous improvement,” said Dr. LouAnn Hudson, assistant superintendent. “While we celebrate these achievements, we also see them as a foundation for even greater growth in the future.”