Skip to main content

Average

#1177 of 1,851 schools in VA

James H. Cary Intermediate

Middle School · Essex County Public Schools

PO Box 609, Tappahannock, VA 22560

Enrollment

331

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

5.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,177 of 1,851

In Tappahannock

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Essex County Public Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around James H. Cary Intermediate?

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.

James H. Cary Intermediate

5.6/10

Middle School in Tappahannock · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Essex High

7.4/10

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

Tappahannock Elementary

6.4/10

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

About James H. Cary Intermediate

James H. Cary Intermediate is a public middle school in Tappahannock, VA, part of Essex County Public Schools. James H.

Cary Intermediate serves approximately 331 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. James H. Cary Intermediate has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,177 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for James H. Cary Intermediate show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with VA schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • VA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

James H. Cary Intermediate 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,613
Chronic Absenteeism10%

James H. Cary Intermediate — Students at James H. Cary Intermediate score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 67.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)

Based on 35 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
68%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2017
ELA
68%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
69%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
51%
2025
Math
56.8%
ELA
65.2%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How James H. Cary Intermediate Compares

See how James H. Cary Intermediate performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
37th percentile in VA
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

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 8.6/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Montross), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hamilton Holmes Middle (rated 4.6/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby King William), with a comparable rating. 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 7.4
Tappahannock Elementary Tappahannock 0.5 mi 6.4
ST MARGARET'S SCHOOL Tappahannock 0.6 mi 8.0
TAPPAHANNOCK JUNIOR ACADEMY Tappahannock 1.8 mi
Richmond County Elementary Warsaw 6.8 mi 6.2
Rappahannock High Warsaw 7.0 mi 4.9
AYLETT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Bruington 9.1 mi 5.8
Montross Middle Montross 11.2 mi 8.6
Westmoreland High Montross 12.0 mi 7.3
Lawson-Marriott Elementary St. Stephens Church 12.7 mi 3.8
Cople Elementary Hague 14.6 mi 6.2
Central High King And Queen C H 17.4 mi 5.8
Hamilton Holmes Middle King William 18.4 mi 4.6
Acquinton Elementary King William 18.5 mi 5.3
Cool Spring Primary King William 18.6 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 19.1 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
Cumberland Middle Cumberland, VA 5.6
Lebanon Middle Lebanon, VA 5.6
Edward W. Wyatt Middle Emporia, VA 5.7
Northampton Middle Eastville, VA 5.7
Forest Glen Middle Suffolk, VA 5.4
Amelia County Middle Amelia, VA 5.8

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 ranks #1,177 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is James H. Cary Intermediate's MySchoolScout rating?

James H. Cary Intermediate has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 James H. Cary Intermediate?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James H. Cary Intermediate has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.0%

District

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

Other Schools in This District

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.