Top Rankings
Essex County Public Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 1,163 students in Essex County Public Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.
Public Schools in Essex County Public Schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Virginia public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (VA)
# Schools
3 Schools
2,139 Schools
# Students
1,163 Students
1,257,026 Students
# Teachers
88 Teachers
92,134 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Essex County Public Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 132 school districts in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#106 out of 132 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)55%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)25-29%
59%
Graduation Rate
92%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.62
0.72
% American Indian
1%
n/a
% Asian
2%
8%
% Hispanic
5%
19%
% Black
55%
22%
% White
27%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,866 is higher than the state median of $15,509. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,284 is higher than the state median of $15,264. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$19 MM
$19,496 MM
Spending
$19 MM
$19,187 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,866
$15,509
Spending / Student
$16,284
$15,264
Best Essex County Public Schools Public Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Essex High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
833 High School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-4301
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-4301
Gr: 9-12 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #22.
Tappahannock Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 Elementary School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-5301
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-5301
Gr: PK-4 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #33.
James H. Cary Intermediate
(Math: 54% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
912 Intermediate School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-3040
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-3040
Gr: 5-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Essex County Public Schools?
Essex County Public Schools manages 3 public schools serving 1,163 students.
What is the rank of Essex County Public Schools?
Essex County Public Schools is ranked #107 out of 132 school districts in Virginia (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Virginia school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County Public Schools?
55% of Essex County Public Schools students are Black, 27% of students are White, 10% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Essex County Public Schools?
Essex County Public Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What is Essex County Public Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,284 is higher than the state median of $15,264. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
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