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Average

#748 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 40% in state

Essex High

High School · Essex County Public Schools

PO Box 1006, Tappahannock, VA 22560

Enrollment

410

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tappahannock

#2 of 3

public schools

Virginia high schools

#159 of 323

In district

#2 of 3

Essex County Public Schools

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Essex High

Essex High educates 410 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Tappahannock, Virginia. This public high school has earned an impressive 8.2 out of 10 rating and ranks 158th among Virginia's 1,856 schools, placing it in the 92nd percentile statewide. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention.

Academically, Essex High demonstrates strong performance with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 58% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to student achievement despite serving a community where only 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school serves families in a community with a median household income of $49,631 and median home values around $215,300.

While 17.1% of the area experiences poverty, Essex High's academic success shows how dedicated educators can make a meaningful difference in student outcomes. Essex High is situated in Virginia's remote rural Essex County, providing students with a close-knit educational environment where teachers and staff can build strong relationships with students and families in this tight-knit community of fewer than 7,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Essex High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Math vs. State Avg+8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,164

Essex High — Students at Essex High score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
75.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
60%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
84%
ELA
86%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Essex High Compares

See how Essex High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in VA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

PO Box 1006, Tappahannock, VA 22560

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Essex High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westmoreland High (rated 6.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Montross), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central High (rated 6.5/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby King and Queen C H), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tappahannock, see our Tappahannock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.6 mi
School Distance Rating
James H. Cary Intermediate Tappahannock 0.4 mi 8.6
Tappahannock Elementary Tappahannock 0.9 mi 5.6
ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL Tappahannock 1.0 mi 8.0
TAPPAHANNOCK JUNIOR ACADEMY Tappahannock 1.6 mi
Richmond County Elementary Warsaw 7.2 mi 6.9
Rappahannock High Warsaw 7.4 mi 4.9
AYLETT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bruington 8.9 mi 5.8
Montross Middle Montross 11.5 mi 9.4
Westmoreland High Montross 12.2 mi 6.7
Lawson-Marriott Elementary St. Stephens Church 12.3 mi 2.3
Cople Elementary Hague 15.0 mi 5.7
Central High King and Queen C H 17.3 mi 6.5
Hamilton Holmes Middle King William 18.1 mi 6.4
Acquinton Elementary King William 18.2 mi 4.9
Cool Spring Primary King William 18.3 mi 4.7
Washington District Elementary Colonial Beach 19.3 mi 8.4
MONROE BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Colonial Beach 21.1 mi
King William High King William 18.8 mi 5.4
King & Queen Elementary Mattaponi 22.0 mi 2.1
Colonial Beach High Colonial Beach 23.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,357

Median Home Value

$247,100

Median Rent

$969/mo

Population

6,523

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

63%

Avg Commute

34.9 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Essex High 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eastside High Coeburn, VA 6.8
George Wythe High Wytheville, VA 6.8
Grayson County High Independence, VA 6.8
Northampton High Eastville, VA 6.8
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg, VA 6.7
Westmoreland High Montross, VA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Essex High

What grades does Essex High serve?

Essex High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Essex High?

Essex High has an enrollment of approximately 410 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex High?

The student-teacher ratio at Essex High is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Essex High rank in VA?

Essex High is ranked #748 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Essex High's MySchoolScout rating?

Essex High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Essex High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Essex High has 58.7% math proficiency and 71.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Essex High a charter school?

No, Essex High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Essex High a Title I school?

No, Essex High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Essex High?

98.8% of students at Essex High 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 (3,705/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Essex County Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,163
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,613
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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