Best Schools in Amherst, New York
13 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $85,575
- Median home value
- $260,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
23% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Amherst compares
New York rank
#318 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below New York avg (6.3)
Median household income
$86k
92% of New York median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Amherst, New York
Amherst, New York is home to 13 schools, including 9 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Amherst show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Amherst is Maplemere Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Amherst is served by 2 school districts: AMHERST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, SWEET HOME CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 6,727 students.
Amherst's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $85,575. The poverty rate in the area is 10.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 489 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 394 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 761 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | 419 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 5 | 679 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST BENEDICT SCHOOL
Private
266 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 142 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 646 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 |
| 2 | 800 students · 6th–8th | 3.8 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,091 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 886 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 students · Pre-K–9th | Not Rated |
| 2 | AUTISM SERVICES
Private
84 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
Schools in Amherst
Amherst, New York · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$85,575
Median Home Value
$260,700
Median Rent
$1,306/mo
Population
108,980
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Community Profile
Amherst has a median household income of $85,575. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,700, with a median rent of $1,306/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- New York
- Total Schools
- 13
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 6.0/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New York
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Amherst, New York
How many schools are in Amherst, New York?
Amherst has 13 schools, including 9 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Amherst, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Amherst is 6.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Amherst, New York?
The top-ranked school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Maplemere Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Amherst, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Maplemere Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Amherst, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Amherst Middle School with a composite score of 4.5/10.
What is the best high school in Amherst, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Sweet Home Senior High School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Amherst, New York?
Amherst is served by 2 school districts: Amherst Central School District, Sweet Home Central School District.
What is the education level in Amherst, New York?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in Amherst have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Amherst, New York?
The median household income in Amherst is approximately $85,575 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Amherst, New York?
Yes, Amherst has 4 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Jewish Heritage Day School/ohr Temimim with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Amherst, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Amherst is 10.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Amherst, New York?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.