Best Schools in Tappahannock, Virginia
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Tappahannock?
Use this page to compare every school in Tappahannock by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
St Margaret's School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Essex High
High · Essex County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Tappahannock Elementary
Elementary · Essex County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Tappahannock for 2026 are St Margaret's School (8.0/10), Essex High (7.4/10), and Tappahannock Elementary (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$247,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$247,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Tappahannock
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Margaret's School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Essex High | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Tappahannock Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | James H. Cary Intermediate | 5.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $65,357
- Median home value
- $247,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 35 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Tappahannock compares
Virginia rank
#63 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$65k
74% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Tappahannock, Virginia
Tappahannock, Virginia is home to 5 schools, including 3 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Tappahannock show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Tappahannock is St Margaret's School with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Tappahannock is served by 1 school district: Essex County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 1,163 students.
Tappahannock's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $65,357. The poverty rate in the area is 15.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 422 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Tappahannock Junior Academy
Private
19 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 331 students · 5th–8th | 5.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 410 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Margaret's School
Private
62 students · 8th–12th | 8.0 | ||
Schools in Tappahannock
Tappahannock, Virginia · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,357
Median Home Value
$247,100
Median Rent
$969/mo
Population
6,523
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Community Profile
Tappahannock has a median household income of $65,357. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,100, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Tappahannock, Virginia
How many schools are in Tappahannock, Virginia?
Tappahannock has 5 schools, including 3 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Tappahannock is 6.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Tappahannock on MySchoolScout is St Margaret's School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Tappahannock on MySchoolScout is Tappahannock Elementary with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Tappahannock on MySchoolScout is James H. Cary Intermediate with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Tappahannock on MySchoolScout is St Margaret's School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Tappahannock, Virginia?
Tappahannock is served by 1 school district: Essex County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Tappahannock, Virginia?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Tappahannock have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The median household income in Tappahannock is approximately $65,357 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Tappahannock, Virginia?
Yes, Tappahannock has 2 private schools alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Margaret's School with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Tappahannock, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Tappahannock is 10.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Tappahannock, Virginia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.