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
Enrollment
67
Student-Teacher
7.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Tar River Academy — Students at Tar River Academy score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 10.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 22.2% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (252) 451-2875
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nash County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,568
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,350
- District Rank
- #13 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated 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.