Essex County Schools & Education
Essex County, Vermont
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
44/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
69.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
69.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,993
National avg $13,239
State avg $11,012
School Score
44/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#13
of 14 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Essex County
School Verdict
Essex County has average school quality (score: 44/100) with a graduation rate of 69.0%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Essex County spends $9,993 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Essex County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 20% below the Vermont average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 12.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Essex County, Vermont
Tiny Schools Serving Vermont’s Far Northeast
Essex County operates the state's smallest public school footprint with just five schools across two districts. These facilities serve only 520 total students, providing an incredibly intimate educational environment.
Low Graduation Rates Present Challenges for Essex
The county graduation rate is 69%, falling below both the state average of 81.3% and the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending of $9,993 is also lower than state benchmarks, though school scores remain competitive with a 48.9 rating.
Two Main Districts Manage the Rural Landscape
The Canaan School District and Brighton School District handle the bulk of local enrollment, with Canaan serving 169 students. There are zero charter schools in the county, emphasizing the role of traditional local districts.
Purely Rural Education with Very Small Classes
Every school in Essex County is classified as rural, with an average school size of only 130 students. The largest facility is Canaan Schools with 169 students, while Lunenburg & Gilman Schools serve just 60 children.
Discover a Quiet Pace of Life and Learning
Essex County is ideal for those seeking the smallest school settings in the state. If you are looking for a home where every teacher knows every student by name, explore the available properties in Canaan or Brighton.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Essex County
Total Enrollment
520
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Essex County
Canaan School District
Brighton School District
5 Public Schools in Essex County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canaan Schools | Canaan School District | PK–12 | Other | 169 |
| Concord Graded/Middle School | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | PK–8 | Primary | 156 |
| Brighton Elementary School | Brighton School District | PK–8 | Primary | 135 |
| Lunenburg & Gilman Schools | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | PK–5 | Primary | 60 |
| Canaan High School CTE Program | Canaan School District | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,993
State avg $11,012
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Essex County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Essex County?
How much does Essex County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Essex County, Vermont — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Essex County, Vermont?
Essex County operates the state's smallest public school footprint with just five schools across two districts. These facilities serve only 520 total students, providing an incredibly intimate educational environment.
How do schools in Essex County perform academically?
The county graduation rate is 69%, falling below both the state average of 81.3% and the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending of $9,993 is also lower than state benchmarks, though school scores remain competitive with a 48.9 rating.
What are the major school districts in Essex County, Vermont?
The Canaan School District and Brighton School District handle the bulk of local enrollment, with Canaan serving 169 students. There are zero charter schools in the county, emphasizing the role of traditional local districts.
What is the school experience like in Essex County?
Every school in Essex County is classified as rural, with an average school size of only 130 students. The largest facility is Canaan Schools with 169 students, while Lunenburg & Gilman Schools serve just 60 children.
How can I find homes near good schools in Essex County, Vermont?
Essex County is ideal for those seeking the smallest school settings in the state. If you are looking for a home where every teacher knows every student by name, explore the available properties in Canaan or Brighton.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.