Excellent
#94 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 5% in state
James H. Cary Intermediate
Middle School · Essex County Public Schools
PO Box 609, Tappahannock, VA 22560
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tappahannock
#1 of 3
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#21 of 340
In district
#1 of 3
Essex County Public Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About James H. Cary Intermediate
James H. Cary Intermediate is a public middle school in Tappahannock, VA, part of the Essex County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 331 students in grades 5th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 58% proficiency in math, 10 points below the state average and 64% in reading/language arts, 10 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.9/10).
Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,357, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James H. Cary Intermediate 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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James H. Cary Intermediate — Students at James H. Cary Intermediate score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 8.7/10.
How James H. Cary Intermediate Compares
See how James H. Cary Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
PO Box 609, Tappahannock, VA 22560
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James H. Cary Intermediate may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Montross Middle (rated 9.4/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Montross), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hamilton Holmes Middle (rated 6.4/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby King William), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tappahannock, see our Tappahannock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Essex High Tappahannock | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Tappahannock Elementary Tappahannock | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL Tappahannock | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| TAPPAHANNOCK JUNIOR ACADEMY Tappahannock | 1.8 mi | — |
| Richmond County Elementary Warsaw | 6.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Rappahannock High Warsaw | 7.0 mi | 4.9 |
| AYLETT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bruington | 9.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Montross Middle Montross | 11.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Westmoreland High Montross | 12.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Lawson-Marriott Elementary St. Stephens Church | 12.7 mi | 2.3 |
| Cople Elementary Hague | 14.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Central High King and Queen C H | 17.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Hamilton Holmes Middle King William | 18.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Acquinton Elementary King William | 18.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Cool Spring Primary King William | 18.6 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 | 19.1 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 James H. Cary Intermediate 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 |
|---|---|
| Chilhowie Middle Chilhowie, VA | 8.6 |
| Chatham Middle Chatham, VA | 8.7 |
| Gretna Middle Gretna, VA | 8.7 |
| L.F. Addington Middle Wise, VA | 8.5 |
| Page County Middle Shenandoah, VA | 8.7 |
| St. Clare Walker Middle Locust Hill, VA | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James H. Cary Intermediate
What grades does James H. Cary Intermediate serve?
James H. Cary Intermediate serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend James H. Cary Intermediate?
James H. Cary Intermediate has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James H. Cary Intermediate?
The student-teacher ratio at James H. Cary Intermediate is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James H. Cary Intermediate rank in VA?
James H. Cary Intermediate is ranked #94 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is James H. Cary Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?
James H. Cary Intermediate has a composite rating of 8.6 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 James H. Cary Intermediate?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James H. Cary Intermediate has 57.9% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James H. Cary Intermediate a charter school?
No, James H. Cary Intermediate is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James H. Cary Intermediate a Title I school?
No, James H. Cary Intermediate is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James H. Cary Intermediate?
100.6% of students at James H. Cary Intermediate 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tappahannock). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 331
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (804) 443-3040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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
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