Best Schools in Amherst, Virginia
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Amherst?
Use this page to compare every school in Amherst by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Amherst Elementary
Elementary · Amherst County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Amherst Middle
Middle · Amherst County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Temperance Elementary
Elementary · Amherst County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Amherst for 2026 are Amherst Elementary (7.4/10), Amherst Middle (7.2/10), and Temperance Elementary (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$233,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$233,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Amherst
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Amherst Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Temperance Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Amherst County High | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Central Elementary | 4.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $69,077
- Median home value
- $233,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 78%
40% 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
Virginia rank
#95 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$69k
79% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Amherst, Virginia
Amherst, Virginia is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Amherst show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Amherst is Amherst Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Amherst is served by 1 school district: Amherst County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 3,965 students.
Amherst's community shows 27% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,077. The poverty rate in the area is 10.4%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 267 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 102 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 |
| 3 | 323 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 356 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,243 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 |
Schools in Amherst
Amherst, Virginia · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,077
Median Home Value
$233,600
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
10,101
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
78%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Community Profile
Amherst has a median household income of $69,077. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,600, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Amherst, Virginia
How many schools are in Amherst, Virginia?
Amherst has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Amherst, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Amherst is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Amherst, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Amherst Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Amherst, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Amherst Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Amherst, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Amherst Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Amherst, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Amherst on MySchoolScout is Amherst County High with a composite score of 5.5/10.
How many school districts serve Amherst, Virginia?
Amherst is served by 1 school district: Amherst County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Amherst, Virginia?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in Amherst have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Amherst, Virginia?
The median household income in Amherst is approximately $69,077 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Amherst, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Amherst is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Amherst, Virginia?
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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.