The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Science. The lowest is 58% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on John C Dempsey Middle School
John C Dempsey Middle School is a public middle school serving grades six through eight in Delaware, Ohio, a mid-sized county seat in one of the state's fastest-growing regions. The school enrolls roughly a thousand students, with about a third qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller populations of Hispanic, multiracial, Black, and Asian students.
The school's most recent testing data shows mixed results across subjects. In English language arts, student proficiency sits at a moderate level, with reading and writing instruction following the district's Science of Reading framework that began in the 2023-2024 school year. Mathematics proficiency is somewhat lower than ELA. Science is the school's clearest strength, where proficiency rates considerably exceed the other two core subjects. The school participated in state science testing at a grade-eight level, while mathematics and ELA tested a broader middle-grades band. Participation rates across all subjects are very high, indicating consistent student engagement with state assessments.
When compared against the other districts in Delaware County, Dempsey's overall proficiency sits in the bottom quartile, suggesting that neighboring district schools are performing at higher levels across tested subjects. A parent may want to ask the school directly about what drives this difference and what targeted support exists for students working toward proficiency.
Delaware City Schools is the district serving this school, and it operates under recent significant changes. In November 2025, voters approved a new continuing property tax levy for permanent improvements—building maintenance, buses, technology, and classroom materials. This is an ongoing cost families moving into the district should factor into their housing budget calculations. The district also implemented the Science of Reading approach across K-3 starting in 2023-2024, shifting how early readers are taught and what homework and materials look like at home. In November 2022, voters had approved a substitute operating levy to fund ongoing school operations.
The city of Delaware itself is in rapid growth. It is the county seat and anchors a county that has been growing substantially, with multiple large residential developments under construction and approved. The city maintains a compact downtown with strong walkability, historic 19th-century buildings, a recognized Main Street shopping district with few vacant storefronts, and adjacent Ohio Wesleyan University. Mingo Park, on the Olentangy River, offers recreation facilities including a pool and skate park. The city's major employers include Greif Inc., an industrial packaging manufacturer headquartered there, along with manufacturing and healthcare operations. This economic base and residential expansion mean Dempsey serves a community experiencing significant demographic and economic change.
Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to the nation, though costs have been rising. Rental costs remain lower than mortgage payments, and rent as a percentage of income sits below the national threshold, making this a reasonably affordable market for families in many income brackets.
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