Brandywine’s Plan to Consolidate Space

and Transition to K-5, 6-8, 9-12

Brandywine School District is closing two school buildings (Darley Road Elementary and Hanby Middle) after the 2008-09 school year in an effort to consolidate space and reduce costs. The District is also changing its grade-level configuration, moving to K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade level buildings for the start of the 2009-10 school year.

These changes require a change in feeder patterns, which were approved by the Brandywine School Board in June, 2008. Parents can search their new feeder patterns (2009-10 and forward) by clicking here. Existing feeder patterns for the 2008-09 school year can be obtained by clicking here. Residents who do not have children in the schools can obtain their feeder pattern by calling 302-793-5000. Feeder pattern maps can be found by clicking here.

Some of the District’s special programs will need to be relocated because of the changes. Parent and staff committees formed transition teams to work on the new placements:

• The gifted program will be located K-3 at Mt. Pleasant Elementary, 4-5 at Claymont Elementary, and 6th and 7th grade at P.S. duPont Middle School with expansion to grade 8 by the 2010-11 school year
• Brandywine Specialized Autism Program (BSAP) will be located at Harlan and Claymont elementaries with expansion to P.S. duPont and either Talley or Springer middle schools
• The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) will be expanded at Harlan Elementary and P.S. duPont Middle School. It will also continue at Talley Middle School and Mt. Pleasant High School · The Intensive Learning Center will be at Mt. Pleasant Elementary, P.S. duPont Middle, and each of the three high schools

Click here for information regarding meeting minutes for transition teams.

Why did the Brandywine School District need to close school buildings? The Brandywine School District faces declining enrollment and decided that closing schools was the most fiscally responsible move. These closures will save the district $1.6 million each year. The District spent several years examining this issue, held dozens of open community meetings, and committees comprised of citizens – including those with educational and architectural backgrounds – developed several scenarios. The committee’s final report can be found here.

Original committee meeting minutes and other documentation of the Space Consolidation Committees has been archived and is available through a FOIA (Freedom Of Information Request) request.

Click Here to Visit the Space Consolidation Document Archive (Minutes, FAQ's, Scenarios)

For email requests regarding information, commentary, or concerns, please click here to send a message to the Space Consolidation mailbox. Someone will get back to you shortly!