Very Good
#560 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 30% in state
Essex High
High School · Essex County Public Schools
PO Box 1006, Tappahannock, VA 22560
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#560 of 1,851
In Tappahannock
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Essex County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Essex High?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Essex High
High School in Tappahannock · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
James H. Cary Intermediate
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Tappahannock Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Essex High
Essex High is a public high school in Tappahannock, VA, part of Essex County Public Schools. Essex High serves approximately 410 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Essex High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #560 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Essex High show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- VA avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
Essex High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Essex High — Students at Essex High score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Essex High Compares
See how Essex High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 slightly higher. Another option is Westmoreland High (rated 7.3/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Montross), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central High (rated 5.8/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby King And Queen C H), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.6 |
| Tappahannock Elementary Tappahannock | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL Tappahannock | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| TAPPAHANNOCK JUNIOR ACADEMY Tappahannock | 1.6 mi | — |
| Richmond County Elementary Warsaw | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Rappahannock High Warsaw | 7.4 mi | 4.9 |
| AYLETT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bruington | 8.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Montross Middle Montross | 11.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Westmoreland High Montross | 12.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Lawson-Marriott Elementary St. Stephens Church | 12.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Cople Elementary Hague | 15.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Central High King And Queen C H | 17.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Hamilton Holmes Middle King William | 18.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Acquinton Elementary King William | 18.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Cool Spring Primary King William | 18.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Washington District Elementary Colonial Beach | 19.3 mi | 7.4 |
| MONROE BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Colonial Beach | 21.1 mi | — |
| King William High King William | 18.8 mi | 5.3 |
| King & Queen Elementary Mattaponi | 22.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Colonial Beach High Colonial Beach | 23.6 mi | 5.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Graham High Bluefield, VA | 7.4 |
| WOODBERRY FOREST SCHOOL Woodberry Forest, VA | 7.4 |
| Chilhowie High Chilhowie, VA | 7.5 |
| Radford High Radford, VA | 7.5 |
| Windsor High Windsor, VA | 7.5 |
| Chincoteague High Chincoteague, VA | 7.3 |
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 ranks #560 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Essex High's MySchoolScout rating?
Essex High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Essex High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Essex High has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.6%
- Phone
- (804) 443-4301
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Essex County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,163
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,613
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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