From the public school system to area private schools, Essex County offers its citizens several choices for education. The county public school system, headed by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Philip Iovino, features three school levels. Tappahannock Elementary, Essex Intermediate, and Essex High are all accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school system stresses a new reading plan, widespread computer education, and a gifted and talented program. Other schools in the area include St. Margaret's School, an Episcopal girls' boarding and day school, Aylett Country Day School, a private Early Childhood through 8 school, and Tappahannock Junior Academy, a Seventh Day Adventist school serving K-8 students. Schools underlined below are linked directly to their own web sites. Aylett Country Day School WEB SITE John W. Colby, Jr., Headmaster PO Box 70, Millers Tavern, VA 23115 804-443-3214 Fax: 804-443-3064 Essex County Public Schools - WEB SITE Mr. Thomas M. Saville, Superintendent PO Box 756, 109 North Cross Street Tappahannock 22560 Essex County School Board 804-443-4366 Fax: 804-443-4498 Essex High School - WEB SITE Mr. Larry Lenz, Principal PO Box 1006, 833 High School Circle Tappahannock 22560 804-443-4301 Fax: 804-443-4272 Essex Intermediate School - WEB SITE Joseph T. Gilreath, Principal PO Box 609, 912 Marsh Street Tappahannock 22560 804-443-3040 Fax: 804-443-2490 Tappahannock Elementary School - WEB SITE Paul M. Hutnyan, Principal PO Box 399, 205 Elementary School Circle Tappahannock 22560 804-443-5301 Fax: 804-443-1176 St. Margaret's School - WEB SITE Margaret R. Broad, Headmistress PO Box 158, 444 Water Lane Tappahannock 22560 804-443-3357 Fax: 804-443-1832 Tappahannock Junior Academy Grant Wolters, Principal 804-443-5076 Essex County Public Schools Essex County Public Schools Web Site STUDENT REGISTRATION PROCEDURES Parents or legal guardians are asked to call the appropriate school to make an appointment for the student and parent to register in person. There is a special registration period each spring for Kindergarten students. Physical exam and record of immunizations required. Non-resident tuition student applications are available at the School Board Office. FACILITIES All three schools are air-conditioned. The buildings are maintained by an expert maintenance crew, and are kept clean by a well-trained custodial services team. A new addition to Essex Intermediate School opened in September 1998 to house students in grade 8. The School Board has approved a proposed addition / renovation project at Tappahannock Elementary School and has forwarded the request to the Essex Board of Supervisors. Recent unexpected enrollment increases at that school put the school over capacity. ACCREDITATION Each school is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All schools are provisionally accredited in 1999-2000 by the Virginia Department of Education. COMPUTER EDUCATION There are more than 400 multimedia computers in the school division's 125 classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and offices. This is a ratio of four students per computer. These have been installed on the networks (LANS) with access to library automated search programs, library CD-ROM files, word processing programs, spreadsheet, database and statistical applications. Recently, all computers were connected to a wide area network through Network Virginia. Each school has supervised Internet Access. Tappahannock Elementary School has a new computer lab for teachers to use with classroom groups. Students in the middle grades have access to two labs (one a new Pentium lab in 1998-99) for instruction in SOL computer competencies and usage for remedial instruction. High school students have four computer labs and are required to complete at least one computer course for graduation. They may select courses in computer keyboarding, word processing, AP computer programming, and Cisco computer repair / networking. Essex County is one of the few school divisions in Virginia to offer teachers the six-college credit UVA Technology Certificate program. Essex pays 75% of the tuition costs for this program to encourage all teachers to get the technology skills needed to make computers a regular part of classroom instruction. GIFTED EDUCATION PROGRAMS Eligible students receive gifted instruction according to differentiated learning plans within regular classes and through attendance at special events pullout programs. A Gifted Education specialist coordinates programs and several pullout activities for eligible students. "Math Counts" and "Odyssey of the Mind" programs are in place. Numerous Advanced Placement and College dual enrollment opportunities are available at the high school level. The school division participates in a summer regional Governor's School for the gifted (Grades 3-7), and sponsors high school students at the state-wide summer Governor's Schools. Essex has been the fiscal agent for a $100,000 General Assembly Grant to plan a one-half day "Chesapeake Bay Governor's School" program for high performing juniors and seniors from the twelve county region. The focus of the school is "math, science, and technology with an emphasis on marine and environmental science." Approved by the Virginia Board of Education and the Virginia General Assembly, the school opened in September 1998 at three satellite campuses. Enrollment has increased from 92 to 105 high performing students (including eight from Essex) who attend the Governor's School each morning. They earn dual enrollment college credit for all courses taken through the Governor's School. The students return to the high school for the rest of their classes and extracurricular activities in the afternoon. ACADEMIC COMPETITION Middle level students compete in spelling bee, Math Counts, Odyssey of the Mind, and Johns Hopkins University's talent search. Competitive academic activities at Essex High include Forensics, Debate Team, a drama club that participates in one-act play competition and presents musical theater in the spring, Academic Competition team, a state champion yearbook, Odyssey of the Mind,and a highly rated Literary Magazine. Art and music instruction are available K-12. ATHLETICS Essex High School had two state champions in 1998-99 in Baseball and Boys Track. The school also features competitive programs in Wrestling, Golf, Tennis, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Girls Track, Volleyball, Soccer and Softball. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Recent Essex graduates have gained admission to these colleges, universities, schools: Appalachian State, Arizona University, Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Bridgewater, Braxton School of Business, Chowan, CNU, College of Charleston, Duke, East Carolina, Flair School, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Greensboro College, Hampton, James Madison, Johns Hopkins, Johnson and Wales, Liberty, Longwood, Mary Baldwin, Mary Washington, Messiah, University of Maryland, Nashville Diesel, Norfolk State, North Carolina State, Old Dominion, Princeton, Radford, Randolph-Macon, Rappahannock Community College, Roanoke College, Rutgers, J. Sargent Reynolds Community College, St. Pauls, US Coast Guard Academy, VCU, Virginia Tech, Virginia State, Virginia Union, University of Richmond, UNC-Asheville, UVA, Virginia School of Cosmetology, and William & Mary. SPECIAL EDUCATION Programs are designed to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities. "School-to-Work" transition programs are developed for eligible students. A "Job Coach" is hired to coordinate the community based work training program that is hosted by 43 area businesses. THE SCHOOL BOARD The Essex County School Board and the Essex Board of Supervisors are very supportive of quality educational services for each Essex child. The members of the School Board are appointed by the Essex School Board Selection Committee. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month 7:00 PM at the School Board Office at 109 N. Cross Street. Check the County Official page for a list of the current members of the School Board. CITIZEN / PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Many Essex County citizens support and become involved in their schools. Individual parents, business persons, and retired citizens tutor, work to improve athletic fields, assist teachers, serve on school improvement teams, and serve as mentors for students. Civic clubs are generous in their support of the schools. Vision and hearing screening, sponsorship of student leadership clubs, and donations for scholarships are a few of the services provided by area civic groups. Each school has a strong, supportive PTA. Over 50 Essex citizens have contributed funds to the Essex First Education Foundation to support annual scholarships for students planning careers in the "helping professions." EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Persons seeking teaching positions, other licensed positions, or support positions such as bus driver, aide, custodian, secretary, bookkeeper, cafeteria worker, or substitute teacher may request an application from the School Board Office. All vacant positions are posted in the Rappahannock Times. The Essex School Board is an equal opportunity employer: does not discriminate in personnel selection, employment practices, or educational programs on the basis of age disability, gender, national origin, race, or religion. Finger-print and child abuse registry background checks required. Tappahannock Elementary School Tappahannock Elementary School Web Site Grades K - 4 The major focus of all educational programs is the development of reading, mathematics and English communication skills. All teachers use phonics and basal texts which are supplemented with literature-rich whole language. Accelerated Reader program has helped to increase reading skills and library circulation rates. Music, art, and physical education provided each grade level. Computer assisted instruction available to students. Essex Intermediate School Essex Intermediate School Web Site Grades 5 - 8 Strong skills-based interdisciplinary instruction provided by teams of teachers. Computer instruction available to all students Site of Virginia Pear Grant for staff development and technology innovations. Distance learning implemented on school-wide network. French, Latin, and Spanish offered as exploratories (grades 5-7) Algebra I available to seventh graders. Remedial Reading and Math for students needing help preparing for Virginia’s SOL tests. Algebra I, Geometry, Spanish I, French I, and World Geography available to 8th graders for high school graduation credits. 8th grade exploratories include Agriculture/Woodworking, Keyboarding, Work & Family Studies, Art, Choral and Instrumental Music. Essex High School Essex High School Web Site Grades 9 - 12 College preparatory offerings include Calculus, AP English, AP US History, AP and dual enrollment Computer Science, AP Statistics, Physics, Honors Earth Science, Spanish, French, Latin, Japanese, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Biology II, Marine Biology, Geometry, Algebra, Computer Math, Creative Writing, and Humanities. Workforce preparation offerings include Cisco Computer Networking / Repair, Computer Word Processing and Accounting, Microsoft Computer Applications, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, Computer Repair, Computer-aided Drafting, Law Enforcement, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Auto Mechanics, Building Trades: Masonry and Carpentry, Work and Family Studies, and Food Occupations. Fine Arts offerings include Advanced Art, Concert and Marching Band, Music Theory, Trojan Singers, and Choral Music. Co-curricular clubs and service organizations like Future Farmers of America (FFA), Future Homemakers of America (FHA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Future Educators, Key Club, and the SCA provide leadership opportunities. St. Margaret's School St. Margaret's School Web Site Grades 8 - 12 St. Margaret's is an Episcopal boarding and day school, located in the historic area of Tappahannock, offering a college preparatory education to girls in grades 8-12. The school, with a Rappahannock riverfront campus, was established in 1921. In 2005-2006, the school had a student body of 150, from 12 states and nine countries. The student-faculty ratio is about six students to one teacher, with 99 percent of attendees going on to college. In addition to the winter schedule, the school also offers four one week sessions for girls 12 to 17. With a focus on academic enrichment, the study is tempered with fun and recreation on the river. The Rappahannock River provides multiple opportunities for students at the school. Participants in the program, Teachers on the Bay, have been housed at the school, from which the course moves out onto the river and tidal creeks and marshes. Two teachers spend four weeks conducting a study on the ecosystem in an effort for students to gain an understanding of the inter-relatedness of all parts of life. Some students also have participated in river cleanup, sponsored by Friends of the Rappahannock. The school's motto is "As we grow in age, may we grow in grace," reflecting a commitment to the growth of young women in every area of their lives. Aylett Country Day School Email: headmaster@acdspatriots.net Grades: Early Childhood - 8 Aylett Country Day School, founded in 1966, is a non-profit, non-denominational, parent-owned cooperative preschool, elementary and middle school located in Millers Tavern, Virginia. ACDS is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. By nature of the corporation, the active involvement of parents in support of the education of their children is encouraged. We believe this involvement supplements and enhances the work of the professional faculty and administration. The school strives to provide quality educational opportunities for the children of the community without regard to race, color, creed, or ethnic origin; to develop the full potential of each individual in mind, body, and spirit; to strengthen each child's ability to think for himself; and to cultivate the desire to learn. Tappahannock Junior Academy Grades K - 10 The mission of Tappahannock Junior Academy, established in 1966, is to provide spiritual, emotional, physical, social and intellectual learning with Jesus as the center. Funding for the school, in addition to 43 percent from tuition, is subsidized by the Potomac Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. Education is offered for kindergarten through tenth grade. The curriculum includes reading, science, math, music, art, spelling, computer, language arts, social studies, and physical education. Colleges/Universities Essex County is served by Rappahannock Community College's two campuses in Warsaw (7 miles) and Glenns (28 miles). Each offers programs in college preparatory, vocational, business, technical and trades. Within an hour's commuting distance of Essex are some of the finest colleges and universities in Virginia, including the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg and the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Web page last updated: December 17, 2007 [Click here to report a correction or new information for this web page]