Excellent
#45 of 280 schools in VT
Top 16% in state
Essex High School
High School · Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51
2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Enrollment
1,248
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,248
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Essex Junction
#3 of 8
public schools
Vermont high schools
#3 of 46
In district
#3 of 9
Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Essex High School
Essex High School is a public high school in Essex Junction, VT, part of the Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51. The school serves approximately 1,248 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 84.3th percentile among VT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 38% proficiency in math and 64% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $97,697, where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Essex High School — Students at Essex High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from VT 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: 6.6/10.
How Essex High School Compares
See how Essex High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2021) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2021) to 62% (2022).
Location
2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Essex High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BELLCATE SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Winooski High School (rated 6.3/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Winooski), a more accessible option. For more schools in Essex Junction, see our Essex Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Fleming School Essex Junction | 0.3 mi | 9.6 |
| Summit Street School Essex Junction | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Albert D. Lawton School Essex Junction | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Hiawatha Elementary School Essex Junction | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| TRINITY BAPTIST SCHOOL Williston | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| JEAN GARVIN SCHOOL Williston | 3.0 mi | — |
| Essex Middle School Essex Junction | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Founders Memorial School Essex Junction | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| THE BELLWETHER SCHOOL Williston | 3.6 mi | — |
| Essex Elementary School Essex Junction | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Chamberlin School South Burlington | 3.3 mi | 8.0 |
| MILL SCHOOL (THE) Winooski | 3.3 mi | — |
| Williston Schools Williston | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| BELLCATE SCHOOL Essex Junction | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Winooski Middle School Winooski | 3.5 mi | 4.8 |
| J. F. Kennedy Elementary School Winooski | 3.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Winooski High School Winooski | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Union Memorial School Colchester | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Rick Marcotte Central School South Burlington | 4.0 mi | 8.8 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Winooski | 3.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 05452 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,697
Median Home Value
$404,200
Median Rent
$1,463/mo
Population
22,494
College Educated
53.7%
Homeownership
68.9%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Essex High School has a median household income of $97,697. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $404,200, with a median rent of $1,463/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| South Burlington High School South Burlington, VT | 6.9 |
| Burlington High School Burlington, VT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Essex High School
What grades does Essex High School serve?
Essex High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Essex High School?
Essex High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,248 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Essex High School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Essex High School rank in VT?
Essex High School is ranked #45 out of 280 schools in VT.
What is Essex High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Essex High School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Essex High School has 37.5% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Essex High School a charter school?
No, Essex High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Essex High School a Title I school?
No, Essex High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Essex High School?
30.0% of students at Essex High School 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,248
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 111
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Chittenden County
- Phone
- (802) 879-7121
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51- District Enrollment
- 3,704
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,767
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
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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