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GreatSchools Rating

McKean (Thomas) High School

Public | 8-12 | 911 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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9 reviews of this school


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Posted September 4, 2012

McKean is a great school. Bullying is everywhere but in the past years McKean has really stepped up to the plate on doing there best to take care of every student. They have cleaned up their act and have built new improvements to make the children feel comfortable being there. They have more clubs and organizations than any school I've heard of. The teachers and staff made a huge difference in my high school career and if I could go around thanking every one of them I would. McKean is a grand school.


Posted August 28, 2012

I cannot believe this school is rated 4 out of 5. It must be the bully students or their parents writing the reviews. My granddaughter (on her first day of high school there) have her lunch taken from her and things thrown at her in the cafeteria. She was called names and left in tears at lunch. WHERE WERE YOUR TEACHERS? WHERE WAS THE ON-DUTY POLICE OFFICER. You don't have to worry about my granddaughter we transferred her out of their - DAY 1. In speaking with others "within the feeder zone" they looked to private school rather than sending their kids here. I have 6 more grandchildren and you can bet they won't be going to McKean. You should be ashamed I had to give you a star to get this on-line - you get ZERO STARS!!!


Posted August 23, 2011

This is the best decision i ever made for my child. she's going to keep going here until she graduates. I LOVE MCKEAN !
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 15, 2009

The schho has improved in recent years. Me a current sophmore believes that the Honors classes are challenging and the teachers make learning fun. The vilence in the school is a lot lower then the past years. With having a zero tolerence policy it helps make our school safer.
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 22, 2008

i dont not prefer that you let your children go to this school it is a very unsafe enviornment.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 10, 2008

We have been very happy with this school. The honors curriculum is excellent and the ninth grade academy is just such a terrific program. I don't know why more schools don't do this. I agree with one other poster that there are some tough kids and kids who are not very interested in learning. But the school makes every effort to keep them under control and keep parents informed about discipline. The principal is very accessible and open to parent ideas and feedback. And the responsiveness of the teachers is just superb. Any question, concern, they are back to you ASAP.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2008

Overall the school is above average. The honors classes are very challenging. High expectations and the students in honors are well behaved and there to learn. Compared to the one other school we have experience with, the kids in the AP classes here seem to be the kids who belong there. They don't just try to shove everyone into AP and honors. The college prepatory classes have discipline issues. Mainly kids being so noisy and disruptive your student can't concentrate. Part of attendance zone is from a tough area of the city and it shows. They seem committed to fixing discipline issues. Most of the teachers have been good to excellent. Very few bad apples.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 29, 2007

As parents of a female, ninth grader, entering public school for the first time in her educational career, we are pleased with the overall situation and experience at McKean. Our daughter was able to make friends easily and to adjust to high school much easier than we anticipated. We feel that the Freshman Academy helped our daughter in her transition from a small, private, middle school to the more populated, public, school system. We are impressed by Ms. Gross' leadership as principal and willingness to involve the students in actively promoting academic improvements and personal achievements.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 29, 2004

Excellent school overall. No violence or major problems. I felt safe there and Don Keister (princ.) and Don Odom (Vice princ)were on top of there students and faculty.
—Submitted by a staff


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 66% in 2009.

25 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
12%

2008

 
 
9%

2007

 
 
n/a
Reading

The state average for Reading was 81% in 2009.

24 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
46%

2008

 
 
33%

2007

 
 
n/a
Science

The state average for Science was 59% in 2009.

23 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
9%

2008

 
 
<5%

2007

 
 
n/a
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 55% in 2009.

22 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
14%

2008

 
 
<5%

2007

 
 
n/a
Writing

The state average for Writing was 78% in 2009.

23 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
65%

2008

 
 
55%

2007

 
 
n/a
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 55% in 2009.

293 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
39%

2008

 
 
34%

2007

 
 
29%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2009.

274 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
57%

2008

 
 
60%

2007

 
 
48%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 79% in 2008.

275 students were tested at this school in 2008.

2008

 
 
73%

2007

 
 
52%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.

181 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
41%

2008

 
 
41%

2007

 
 
51%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 71% in 2009.

163 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
53%

2008

 
 
51%

2007

 
 
63%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 84% in 2009.

176 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
73%

2008

 
 
69%

2007

 
 
45%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2009.

134 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
37%

2008

 
 
50%

2007

 
 
59%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 46% in 2009.

134 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
24%

2008

 
 
37%

2007

 
 
42%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Math

All Students12%
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low socioeconomic status6%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed12%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English14%
Not migrant12%

Reading

All Students46%
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low socioeconomic status47%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed46%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English48%
Not migrant46%

Science

All Students9%
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low socioeconomic status6%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed9%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English13%
Not migrant9%

Social Studies

All Students14%
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low socioeconomic status19%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed14%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English20%
Not migrant14%

Writing

All Students65%
Femalen/a
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Whiten/a
Low socioeconomic status63%
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed65%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English65%
Not migrant65%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Delaware Department of Education. If there are fewer than 15 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Math

All Students39%
Female37%
Male40%
African American24%
Asiann/a
Hispanic33%
White55%
Low socioeconomic status29%
Not economically disadvantaged54%
Title In/a
Special ed10%
Regular ed46%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English39%
Not migrant39%

Reading

All Students57%
Female57%
Male58%
African American45%
Asiann/a
Hispanic58%
White67%
Low socioeconomic status53%
Not economically disadvantaged64%
Title In/a
Special ed18%
Regular ed65%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English58%
Not migrant57%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Delaware Department of Education. If there are fewer than 15 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Math

All Students41%
Female42%
Male40%
African American28%
Asiann/a
Hispanic38%
White56%
Low socioeconomic status40%
Not economically disadvantaged42%
Title In/a
Special ed9%
Regular ed48%
English language learners (ELL)16%
Proficient in English44%
Not migrant41%

Reading

All Students53%
Female55%
Male52%
African American42%
Asiann/a
Hispanic51%
White73%
Low socioeconomic status53%
Not economically disadvantaged54%
Title In/a
Special ed25%
Regular ed57%
English language learners (ELL)n/a
Proficient in English56%
Not migrant53%

Writing

All Students73%
Female82%
Male63%
African American66%
Asiann/a
Hispanic79%
White74%
Low socioeconomic status75%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Title In/a
Special ed30%
Regular ed83%
English language learners (ELL)67%
Proficient in English73%
Not migrant73%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Delaware Department of Education. If there are fewer than 15 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Science

All Students37%
Female38%
Male37%
African American29%
Asiann/a
Hispanic26%
White48%
Low socioeconomic status29%
Not economically disadvantaged43%
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed42%
English language learners (ELL)19%
Proficient in English40%
Not migrant37%

Social Studies

All Students24%
Female25%
Male23%
African American17%
Asiann/a
Hispanic11%
White31%
Low socioeconomic status19%
Not economically disadvantaged28%
Title In/a
Special edn/a
Regular ed27%
English language learners (ELL)13%
Proficient in English25%
Not migrant24%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2008-2009 Delaware used the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) to test students in reading and math in grades 2 through 10, in writing in grades 3 through 10, and in science and social studies in grades 4, 6, 8 and 11. The scores for social studies in grades 4 and 6 are not shown on GreatSchools profiles. The DSTP is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Delaware. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Delaware Department of Education. If there are fewer than 15 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Delaware's state standards

Source: Delaware Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 39% 52%
Black 32% 33%
Hispanic 28% 11%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 53%N/A40%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 17N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

301 McKennan's Church Rd
Wilmington, DE 19808
Phone: (302) 992-5520

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