Very Good
#423 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 24% in state
Fort River Elementary
Elementary School · Amherst
70 So East Street, Amherst, MA 01002
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Amherst
#5 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#267 of 1,022
In district
#3 of 3
Amherst
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Fort River Elementary
Fort River Elementary serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Amherst, a small city in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The school enrolls 346 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.1 to 1, with 38 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Fort River ranks in the 76th percentile among Massachusetts schools, placing it at #429 out of 1,796 statewide.
The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.1 out of 10. In terms of proficiency, approximately 49% of students score at or above proficient levels in ELA and reading, while 48% meet proficiency benchmarks in both math and science across grade levels. This snapshot shows the school has room for growth, particularly in building stronger foundational skills across core subjects.
With nearly one teacher for every nine students, Fort River maintains class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. The school's setting in Amherst's small city environment provides a community-oriented backdrop for elementary education. Parents considering Fort River should view current performance data as a foundation point and may want to ask school leadership about specific initiatives and support systems in place to help students advance academically.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Fort River Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Fort River Elementary — Students at Fort River Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.
How Fort River Elementary Compares
See how Fort River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
70 So East Street, Amherst, MA 01002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crocker Farm Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shutesbury Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Shutesbury), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sunderland Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Sunderland), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Regional Middle School Amherst | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Amherst Regional High Amherst | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Wildwood Elementary Amherst | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| THE COMMON SCHOOL Amherst | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Pelham Elementary Pelham | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Crocker Farm Elementary Amherst | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| AMHERST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Amherst | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School Hadley | 3.4 mi | 8.5 |
| THE HARTSBROOK SCHOOL Hadley | 4.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Leverett Elementary Leverett | 6.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Hadley Elementary Hadley | 4.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Hopkins Academy Hadley | 5.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Shutesbury Elementary Shutesbury | 6.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Hatfield Elementary Hatfield | 5.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Smith Academy Hatfield | 5.2 mi | 6.6 |
| THE MACDUFFIE SCHOOL Granby | 7.5 mi | 8.1 |
| East Meadow Granby | 7.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Granby Jr Sr High School Granby | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Sunderland Elementary Sunderland | 7.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Whately Elementary Whately | 7.7 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,411
Median Home Value
$449,000
Median Rent
$1,561/mo
Population
24,726
College Educated
73.9%
Homeownership
48.7%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
23%
Median Age
27
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fort River Elementary has a median household income of $69,411. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $449,000, with a median rent of $1,561/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice M Barrows Reading, MA | 7.4 |
| Brackett Arlington, MA | 7.4 |
| Clark St Community Worcester, MA | 7.4 |
| Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester, MA | 7.4 |
| F A Cleveland Norwood, MA | 7.4 |
| Liberty Braintree, MA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort River Elementary
What grades does Fort River Elementary serve?
Fort River Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Fort River Elementary?
Fort River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort River Elementary is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort River Elementary rank in MA?
Fort River Elementary is ranked #423 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Fort River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort River Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Fort River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort River Elementary has 47.5% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort River Elementary a charter school?
No, Fort River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Fort River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Hampshire County
- Phone
- (413) 362-1200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Amherst- District Enrollment
- 983
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,935
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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