Home > Virginia > Essex County

Essex County School District

Item: Essex County School District
Rating: 2
Author: Public School Review

109 N Cross St
Tappahannock, VA 22560

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (804) 443-4366

www.essex.k12.va.us

Top Rankings

Essex County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Virginia for:

Overview

This School District

This State (VA)

# Schools

3 Schools

2,138 Schools

# Students

1,092 Students

1,256,693 Students

# Teachers

88 Teachers

92,235 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Essex County School District	Virginia
Pre-K	40	163
Kind	82	403
1	61	425
2	74	435
3	66	454
4	77	437
5	76	444
6	83	446
7	71	449
8	69	451
9	96	491
10	99	483
11	100	466
12	98	465

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Essex County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 131 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.

This School District

State Average (VA)

#106 out of 132 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Essex County School District
2023	#106
2022	#127
2021	#127
2019	#122
2018	#119
2017	#119
2016	#121
2015	#122
2014	#115
2013	#114
2012	#102

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

60%

68%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2023	60%	68%
2021	22%	54%
2019	65%	82%
2017	63%	72%
2016	63%	80%
2015	66%	79%
2014	59%	74%
2013	56%	71%
2012	55%	68%
2011	78%	86%
2010	85%	87%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(20-21)

55%

69%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2021	55%	69%
2019	68%	78%
2017	70%	80%
2016	71%	80%
2015	69%	79%
2014	64%	74%
2013	66%	74%
2012	86%	89%
2011	83%	88%
2010	80%	89%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(20-21)

25-29%

59%

92%

89%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2023	92%	89%
2022	87%	89%
2021	92%	89%
2020	92%	89%
2019	87%	87%
2018	92%	88%
2017	82%	87%
2016	82%	87%
2015	82%	86%
2014	77%	85%
2013	77%	85%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.63

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2024	0.62	0.72
2023	0.63	0.71
2022	0.66	0.70
2021	0.63	0.70
2020	0.61	0.68
2019	0.61	0.68
2018	0.60	0.67
2017	0.60	0.67
2016	0.61	0.68
2015	0.60	0.66
2014	0.60	0.66
2013	0.61	0.65
2012	0.60	0.64
2011	0.60	0.64
2010	0.53	0.62
2009	0.52	0.60
2008	0.52	0.60
2007	0.52	0.59
2006	0.53	0.58
2005	0.52	0.57
2004	0.52	0.55
2003	0.51	0.55
2002	0.50	0.53
2001	0.50	0.52
2000	0.51	0.51
1999	0.51	0.51
1998	0.50	0.50
1997	0.51	0.49
1996	0.51	0.48
1995	0.51	0.49
1994	0.50	0.47

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2024)
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2024	2%	8%
2023	2%	7%
2022	3%	7%
2021	2%	8%
2020	2%	7%
2019	2%	7%
2018	1%	7%
2017	1%	7%
2016	1%	8%
2015	2%	6%
2014	1%	7%
2013	1%	7%
2012	1%	6%
2008	1%	6%
2005	1%	6%
2004	2%	6%
2003	1%	5%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

20%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2004-2024)
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2024	5%	19%
2023	6%	19%
2022	7%	18%
2021	5%	18%
2020	5%	16%
2019	5%	16%
2018	4%	15%
2017	4%	15%
2016	4%	14%
2015	3%	14%
2014	4%	13%
2013	4%	12%
2012	3%	12%
2011	4%	11%
2010	3%	10%
2009	3%	10%
2008	3%	10%
2007	2%	9%
2006	2%	8%
2005	2%	7%
2004	1%	6%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

54%

21%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2024	55%	22%
2023	52%	22%
2022	48%	22%
2021	53%	22%
2020	54%	22%
2019	54%	22%
2018	52%	23%
2017	52%	23%
2016	51%	23%
2015	51%	23%
2014	51%	23%
2013	50%	23%
2012	50%	24%
2011	49%	24%
2010	54%	26%
2009	56%	26%
2008	56%	27%
2007	56%	27%
2006	55%	27%
2005	56%	27%
2004	55%	27%
2003	55%	27%
2002	57%	27%
2001	55%	27%
2000	53%	27%
1999	51%	27%
1998	52%	27%
1997	54%	27%
1996	53%	27%
1995	52%	26%
1994	48%	26%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

25%

44%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2024	27%	44%
2023	29%	45%
2022	31%	46%
2021	30%	46%
2020	30%	49%
2019	30%	49%
2018	35%	50%
2017	35%	50%
2016	36%	50%
2015	36%	52%
2014	38%	52%
2013	38%	53%
2012	39%	54%
2011	40%	54%
2010	43%	57%
2009	41%	57%
2008	40%	57%
2007	41%	58%
2006	42%	59%
2005	41%	60%
2004	42%	61%
2003	44%	61%
2002	42%	63%
2001	45%	64%
2000	46%	65%
1999	48%	65%
1998	48%	65%
1997	46%	66%
1996	47%	67%
1995	48%	67%
1994	52%	68%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

12%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2024)
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2024	10%	7%
2023	10%	7%
2022	10%	7%
2021	9%	6%
2020	8%	6%
2019	8%	6%
2018	8%	5%
2017	8%	5%
2016	8%	5%
2015	8%	5%
2014	6%	5%
2013	7%	5%
2012	7%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,897 is higher than the state median of $15,513. The school district revenue/student has grown by 23% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $17,342 is higher than the state median of $15,268. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.

This School District

This State (VA)

Total Revenue

$19 MM

$19,496 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2023	$18 MM	$50 MM
2022	$18 MM	$48 MM
2021	$18 MM	$50 MM
2020	$18 MM	$48 MM
2019	$19 MM	$48 MM
2018	$19 MM	$46 MM
2017	$18 MM	$44 MM
2016	$18 MM	$43 MM
2015	$20 MM	$42 MM
2014	$17 MM	$41 MM
2012	$19 MM	$41 MM
2011	$18 MM	$40 MM
2010	$20 MM	$42 MM
2009	$20 MM	$43 MM
2008	$24 MM	$43 MM
2007	$18 MM	$42 MM
2006	$16 MM	$37 MM
2005	$15 MM	$33 MM
2004	$14 MM	$31 MM
2003	$13 MM	$33 MM
2002	$13 MM	$29 MM
2001	$12 MM	$28 MM
2000	$12 MM	$27 MM
1999	$11 MM	$25 MM
1998	$10 MM	$23 MM
1997	$9 MM	$22 MM
1996	$8 MM	$20 MM
1995	$8 MM	$20 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$19 MM

$19,187 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2023	$19 MM	$50 MM
2022	$18 MM	$48 MM
2021	$19 MM	$50 MM
2020	$18 MM	$48 MM
2019	$19 MM	$48 MM
2018	$19 MM	$46 MM
2017	$18 MM	$44 MM
2016	$18 MM	$43 MM
2015	$18 MM	$42 MM
2014	$17 MM	$40 MM
2012	$18 MM	$41 MM
2011	$17 MM	$38 MM
2010	$18 MM	$42 MM
2009	$20 MM	$42 MM
2008	$26 MM	$41 MM
2007	$17 MM	$40 MM
2006	$15 MM	$39 MM
2005	$14 MM	$36 MM
2004	$13 MM	$31 MM
2003	$13 MM	$31 MM
2002	$13 MM	$29 MM
2001	$12 MM	$29 MM
2000	$11 MM	$27 MM
1999	$11 MM	$24 MM
1998	$11 MM	$23 MM
1997	$9 MM	$21 MM
1996	$8 MM	$21 MM
1995	$9 MM	$19 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$16,897

$15,513

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2023	$15,624	$13,350
2022	$13,667	$13,011
2021	$15,075	$14,122
2020	$13,667	$13,011
2018	$13,566	$12,340
2017	$13,053	$12,324
2016	$12,052	$12,007
2015	$12,835	$10,576
2014	$10,705	$10,820
2012	$11,394	$10,405
2011	$11,133	$10,061
2010	$11,972	$10,576
2009	$12,381	$11,282
2008	$14,482	$10,833
2007	$10,706	$11,013
2006	$9,796	$10,006
2005	$9,056	$9,139
2004	$8,285	$8,571
2003	$8,289	$8,950
2002	$7,842	$8,028
2001	$7,222	$7,912
2000	$7,097	$7,658
1999	$6,667	$6,541
1998	$6,018	$6,329
1997	$5,901	$6,082
1995	$5,410	$5,657
1992	$4,990	$5,133
1990	$4,733	$4,932

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$17,342

$15,268

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Essex County School District	Virginia
2023	$16,036	$13,422
2022	$13,964	$13,009
2021	$15,472	$14,198
2020	$13,964	$13,009
2018	$13,651	$12,303
2017	$12,983	$12,398
2016	$12,083	$12,042
2015	$11,777	$10,658
2014	$10,700	$10,531
2012	$10,787	$10,420
2011	$10,423	$9,778
2010	$10,985	$10,658
2009	$12,502	$11,065
2008	$15,498	$10,444
2007	$10,012	$10,604
2006	$9,340	$10,603
2005	$8,654	$9,839
2004	$7,883	$8,522
2003	$7,922	$8,394
2002	$7,816	$8,029
2001	$7,186	$8,196
2000	$6,948	$7,662
1999	$6,687	$6,251
1998	$6,681	$6,290
1997	$5,845	$5,970
1995	$5,562	$5,518
1992	$4,999	$5,049
1990	$5,121	$4,824

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Best Essex County School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Essex High School

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

833 High School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-4301

Gr: 9-12 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%

Rank: #22.

Tappahannock Elementary School

(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

205 Elementary School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-5301

Gr: PK-4 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%

Rank: #33.

James H. Cary Intermediate

(Math: 54% | Reading: 51%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

912 Intermediate School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560
(804) 443-3040

Gr: 5-8 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 75%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Essex County School District?

Essex County School District manages 3 public schools serving 1,092 students.

What is the rank of Essex County School District?

Essex County School District is ranked #106 out of 131 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%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Essex County School District?

54% of Essex County School District students are Black, 25% of students are White, 12% of students are Two or more races, 6% 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 School District?

Essex County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.

What is Essex County School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $17,342 is higher than the state median of $15,268. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.

Recent Articles

June 17, 2026

When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free

Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.

June 17, 2026

What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience

Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.

June 17, 2026

School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving

Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.

Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 3 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,092 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 75%
: 92% (Top 10% in VA)
: Bottom 50%
: 60% (Btm 50%)
: 55% (Btm 50%)
: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education