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Tappahannock, VirginiaPhoto: Mojo Hand · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Tappahannock · Essex County Public Schools

Tappahannock’s public schools score below 80% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 22% of Tappahannock’s students scored proficient, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tappahannock, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when about 8 in 10 of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Math proficiency
22%
▼ 32 pts vs VA 54%
2020–21
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 1–5 pts vs VA 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.2K
▼ 0% vs VA $17.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.5
VA 13.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,092 students on the public path
In brief

Tappahannock’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 141 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Tappahannock’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 20% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,158 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is James H. Cary Intermediate, then Essex High. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Margaret's School (private) and St. Margarets School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Tappahannock’s grade

D− Test scoresB+ Graduation

C−: better than 20% of Virginia school districts. Graduation is above the Virginia average; test scores are below it.

Virginia school districts we grade (133)Better than 20%
Lower resultsHigher results
Virginia towns with similar household incomes (141)Better than 11%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 501 test results and a graduating class of 105 could put Tappahannock anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2021, when about 8 in 10 of Tappahannock’s students in the tested grades sat them (501 students).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Tappahannock, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Tappahannock ElementaryEssex County Public SchoolsC−
5–8James H. Cary IntermediateEssex County Public SchoolsD
9–12Essex HighEssex County Public SchoolsC−

Tappahannock’s public schools are run by Essex County Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Essex County Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,092 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 12.5 per teacher (VA 13.9)
$17,158VA $17,169 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2020–21

How students score

Math22%
State average 54.4% · 501 students tested

Tappahannock vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Tappahannock’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
TappahannockC−Essex County

Every school in Tappahannock

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Tappahannockby address
Tappahannock Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
400 students12:1Rate it →
James H. Cary Intermediate
Middle · Grades 5–8
D
299 students11:1Rate it →
Essex High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
393 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Margaret's School
High · Grades 8–12
Private · Religious · All-girls
68 students5:1Rate it →
St. Margarets School
High · Grades 8–12
Private · Religious · All-girls
66 students5:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Chesapeake Bay Governor's School).

Questions about Tappahannock’s schools

Are Tappahannock’s schools good?

On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Tappahannock children attend score below 80% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Tappahannock in?

Essex County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,092 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Tappahannock kids go to high school?

Essex High, with 393 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Tappahannock’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Essex County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.

How much does Tappahannock spend per student?

$17,158 in Essex County Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Tappahannock?

Yes: St. Margaret's School (religious · all-girls, grades 8–12, 68 students) and St. Margarets School (religious · all-girls, grades 8–12, 66 students).

Parents talk

What Tappahannock families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tappahannock → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.