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 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 eighth grade.
The curriculm includes reading, science, math, music, art, spelling, computer, language arts, social studies, and physical education. 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.