Skip to main content

Very Good

#857 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Tar River Academy

High School · Nash County Public Schools

906 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Enrollment

67

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#857 of 2,648

In Rocky Mount

#2 of 19

public schools

In district

#2 of 27

Nash County Public Schools

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Tar River Academy?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Tar River Academy

7.2/10

High School in Rocky Mount · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rocky Mount Middle

5.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Citi High School

7.0/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Tar River Academy

Tar River Academy is a public high school in Rocky Mount, NC, part of Nash County Public Schools. Tar River Academy serves approximately 67 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 7.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Tar River Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #857 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Tar River Academy show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 67 students, Tar River Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Tar River Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 7.4:1 students to teachers, Tar River Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-45.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-31.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate78%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,350

Tar River Academy — Students at Tar River Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

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 10.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 13.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 30 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
24.5%
ELA
7.5%
2010
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2013
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
25.6%
ELA
50.3%
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: 9.3/10.

How Tar River Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

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

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.0/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Nash Central High (rated 6.5/10, 5.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rocky Mount High (rated 5.1/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.3
CITI High School Rocky Mount 0.1 mi 7.0
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 3.2
Williford Elementary Rocky Mount 1.1 mi 2.6
Nash Everywhere Digital Academy (NEDA) Rocky Mount 1.1 mi
Rocky Mount High Rocky Mount 1.5 mi 5.1
ST ANDREW'S ESPISCOPAL SCHOOL Rocky Mount 2.0 mi
Fairview Elementary Rocky Mount 1.8 mi 4.4
D S Johnson Elementary Rocky Mount 1.8 mi 1.9
J W Parker Middle Rocky Mount 2.0 mi 1.9
ROCKY MOUNT ACADEMY Rocky Mount 2.0 mi 7.3
Baskerville Elementary Rocky Mount 2.1 mi 1.6
Englewood Elementary Rocky Mount 2.3 mi 4.4
Winstead Avenue Elementary Rocky Mount 2.3 mi 5.4
Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount 2.9 mi 4.2
Rocky Mount Preparatory Rocky Mount 5.4 mi 4.3
West Edgecombe Middle Rocky Mount 4.8 mi 4.2
Nash Central High Rocky Mount 5.1 mi 6.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
PHILIPS ACADEMY Charlotte, NC 7.3
Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC Wilmington, NC 6.9
Davidson County High School Lexington, NC 6.8
FUSION ACADEMY AND LEARNING CENTER - CHARLOTTE Charlotte, NC 6.8
ACCELERATOR SCHOOL LLC Morrisville, NC 6.7
Performance Learning Center Concord, NC 7.7

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 ranks #857 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Tar River Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Tar River Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Tar River Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Tar River Academy has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
4-Year Graduation
78.0%

District

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

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.