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James H. Cary Intermediate

Q: Is James H. Cary Intermediate a good school?

James H. Cary Intermediate ranks 311 th of 419 Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades 5-8

311^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 419 Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 26% of Virginia middle schools

Summary

James H. Cary Intermediate is a public middle school in Tappahannock, Virginia, serving 331 students in grades 5-8. The school is part of the Essex County Public Schools district, which is ranked 100 out of 129 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

James H. Cary Intermediate has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Virginia middle schools over the past 10 years, with proficiency rates on state assessments (SOL tests) generally below the state average, ranging from 30% to 64% in core subjects. Compared to nearby schools like Hamilton Holmes Middle and Montross Middle, the school's performance is mixed, with some grade levels and subject areas performing better than others. The school's high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with over 100% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, may contribute to its academic challenges.

Another concern at James H. Cary Intermediate is the high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 10.6% to 19.7% over the past few years. This can have a significant impact on student learning and achievement. The school's per-student spending and student-teacher ratios have also fluctuated, suggesting inconsistencies in resource allocation and staffing. Addressing these issues through targeted interventions, resource allocation, and collaboration with the community could be crucial for improving student outcomes at the school.

299

Students ?

11.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,708

Per pupil spending ?

99.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

912 Intermediate School Circle
Tappahannock, VA 22560

(804) 443-3040

District: Essex County Public Schools

Students who attend James H. Cary Intermediate usually attend:

High:

Essex High

Feeder schools for James H. Cary Intermediate:

Elementary:

Tappahannock Elementary

Racial breakdown:

African American:

52.5%

White:

24.7%

Two or more races:

13.4%

See top rated Virginia middle schools

Compare James H. Cary Intermediate to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 12th percentile in 2015 → 26th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 14 percentile points since 2015

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (57% vs 68% meeting standards)

!Science scores 22 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school57%

District avg57%

Virginia avg68%

311^th of 419

Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 26%▲ up 13 pts since 2015

From bottom 12% (2015) to bottom 26% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

100^th of 129Essex County Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	28.8	857 of 1114	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	14.7	987 of 1109	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.9	1023 of 1103	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	14.6	1018 of 1105	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	29.3	455 of 579	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	38.9	737 of 1100	33.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	20.6	922 of 1093	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	23.2	215 of 245	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	42.4	635 of 984	35.5%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	33.5	311 of 419	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.6	290 of 417	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.6	266 of 422	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	25.7	323 of 415	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	32.2	285 of 419	32.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.9	313 of 424	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	35.2	297 of 413	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	26.1	343 of 415	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	24.9	349 of 409	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	19.0	361 of 412	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	17.6	369 of 416	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	23.4	355 of 416	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	35.0	304 of 413	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	44.5	251 of 413	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	43.0	259 of 408	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	38.8	267 of 390	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	30.1	326 of 391	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	40.0	277 of 387	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	27.7	326 of 383	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	28.2	305 of 340	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	33.5	218 of 297	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.7	197 of 299	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.6	136 of 298	54.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	43.7	252 of 403	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.8	276 of 407	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.6	228 of 411	44.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	45.0	233 of 403	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.8	218 of 402	45.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	25.7	325 of 404	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.7	293 of 407	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	39.8	259 of 409	36.7%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	28.7	189 of 244	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	46.2	242 of 400	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.7	264 of 396	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.1	188 of 402	53.2%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

White (2023)35th percentile+12 vs school

Female (2023)33rd percentile+10 vs school

African American (2023)21st percentile~ school

Male (2023)16th percentile-7 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)12th percentile-11 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)42nd percentile+16 vs school

White (2025)40th percentile+14 vs school

Female (2025)37th percentile+12 vs school

African American (2025)27th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2025)23rd percentile-3 vs school

Male (2025)20th percentile-6 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2024-2025) ?

Geometry100%+3 vs state

English Reading65%-8 vs state

Civics and Economics62%-12 vs state

Mathematics50%-11 vs state

Science45%-22 vs state

★

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Schools Near James H. Cary Intermediate

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SOL Geometry (2025)	SOL Algebra I (2025)		SOL Mathematics (2025)				SOL Science (2025)		SOL Earth Science (2025)	SOL English Reading (2025)				SOL World History I (2025)	SOL Civics and Economics (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL World History I 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 7th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James H. Cary Intermediate	Public	5-8	912 Intermediate School Circle	Tappahannock	22560	Essex County	Essex County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 443-3040	299	27	11.1	99.7%	74 (24.7%)	157 (52.5%)	20 (6.7%)	7 (2.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (13.4%)	33.5	311^th of 419 public middle schools	25.8%		35.6	290^th of 417 public middle schools	30.5%	21	100.0			34.5	45.7	60.8	64.6	47.2	42.4		63.9	62.0	71.6	62.7			62.1	$8,708	$957	$7,751
Montross Middle	Public	6-8	8884 Menokin Road	Montross	22520	Westmoreland County	Westmoreland County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 493-9818	334	32	10.4	100.9%	129 (38.6%)	123 (36.8%)	58 (17.4%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.6%)	56.7	193^rd of 419 public middle schools	53.9%		65.1	145^th of 417 public middle schools	65.2%	48			100.0		80.9	78.1	84.2		61.8			75.7	77.4	74.5	65.1	52.3		$13,747	$555	$13,191
Hamilton Holmes Middle	Public	6-8	18444 King William Road	King William	23086	King William County	King William County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 769-3434	445	34	13.1	40.7%	331 (74.4%)	59 (13.3%)	18 (4.0%)	1 (0.2%)	10 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (5.6%)	37.2	292^nd of 419 public middle schools	30.3%		33.4	303^rd of 417 public middle schools	27.3%	11	78.6	88.9			50.9	31.3	47.2		57.6	95.5		66.4	73.1	67.6			75.5	$8,549	$109	$8,440

Frequently Asked Questions about James H. Cary Intermediate

What district is James H. Cary Intermediate in?

Essex County Public Schools

What high school do graduates of James H. Cary Intermediate attend?

Students who attend James H. Cary Intermediate usually go on to attend Essex High

Is James H. Cary Intermediate a good school?

James H. Cary Intermediate ranks 311^th of 419 Virginia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend James H. Cary Intermediate?

In the 2024-25 school year, 299 students attended James H. Cary Intermediate.

What is the racial makeup of James H. Cary Intermediate?

Students at James H. Cary Intermediate are 53% African American, 25% White, 13% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 2% Asian.

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Schools in Tappahannock, VA

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.