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Average

#1440 of 2,648 schools in NC

Tar River Academy

High School · Nash County Public Schools

906 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Enrollment

67

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rocky Mount

#7 of 19

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#148 of 579

In district

#13 of 27

Nash County Public Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Tar River Academy

Tar River Academy is an alternative high school located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 67 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers on staff. As an alternative institution, Tar River Academy focuses on providing individualized support for students who may benefit from a more flexible learning environment.

Academically, Tar River Academy is rated at the lower end in terms of state rankings and performance scores. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.0 out of 10, with a specific academic score of 1.2/10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 14% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 6% reach proficiency levels.

Despite these figures, the school continues to offer tailored educational programs aimed at helping each student succeed. Tar River Academy is situated within a small city setting in Nash County, providing access to local resources while maintaining its focus on personalized education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 67 students, Tar River Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Tar River Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, Tar River Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.2%
Math vs. State Avg-45.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-29.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,090

Tar River Academy — Students at Tar River Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 6.0%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 14.1%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2025
Math
10.5%
ELA
22.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Tar River Academy Compares

See how Tar River Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in NC
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

906 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tar River Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CITI High School (rated 8.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nash Central High (rated 6.8/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rocky Mount High (rated 5.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rocky Mount, see our Rocky Mount schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Rocky Mount Middle Rocky Mount 0.0 mi 4.8
CITI High School Rocky Mount 0.1 mi 8.1
OUR LADY PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rocky Mount 0.4 mi 7.4
CHOSEN GENERATION CHILDCARE CENTER Rocky Mount 0.9 mi
G R Edwards Middle Rocky Mount 0.9 mi 3.5
Williford Elementary Rocky Mount 1.1 mi 5.9
Nash Everywhere Digital Academy (NEDA) Rocky Mount 1.1 mi
Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount 1.5 mi 5.8
ST ANDREW'S ESPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rocky Mount 2.0 mi
Fairview Elementary Rocky Mount 1.8 mi 5.7
D S Johnson Elementary Rocky Mount 1.8 mi 2.2
J W Parker Middle Rocky Mount 2.0 mi 4.0
ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY Rocky Mount 2.0 mi 7.2
Baskerville Elementary Rocky Mount 2.1 mi 3.1
Englewood Elementary Rocky Mount 2.3 mi 7.4
Winstead Avenue Elementary Rocky Mount 2.3 mi 6.3
Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount 2.9 mi 7.7
Rocky Mount Preparatory Rocky Mount 5.4 mi 6.0
West Edgecombe Middle Rocky Mount 4.8 mi 4.2
Nash Central High Rocky Mount 5.1 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,837

Median Home Value

$177,600

Median Rent

$977/mo

Population

29,992

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

53.9%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tar River Academy has a median household income of $58,837. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,600, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Davidson County High School Lexington, NC 6.5
Gateway School Granite Falls, NC 6.6
Davidson River School Brevard, NC 5.9
ACCELERATOR SCHOOL LLC Morrisville, NC 6.7
C Joyner Greene Education Center Jamestown, NC 5.8
FUSION ACADEMY AND LEARNING CENTER - CHARLOTTE Charlotte, NC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tar River Academy

What grades does Tar River Academy serve?

Tar River Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Tar River Academy?

Tar River Academy has an enrollment of approximately 67 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tar River Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Tar River Academy is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tar River Academy rank in NC?

Tar River Academy is ranked #1440 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Tar River Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Tar River Academy has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Tar River Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tar River Academy has 6.0% math proficiency and 14.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tar River Academy a charter school?

No, Tar River Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Tar River Academy a Title I school?

No, Tar River Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tar River Academy?

95.5% of students at Tar River Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,793/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rocky Mount). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Nash County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nash County Public Schools
District Enrollment
14,568
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,350
District Rank
#13 of 27

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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