Average
#184 of 389 private schools in MA
Top 47% of private schools
The Common School
Elementary School
521 S PLEASANT ST, Amherst, MA 01002
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Amherst
#1 of 2
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#70 of 200
About The Common School
The Common School is a regular public elementary school located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 75 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 3 to 1, which allows for individualized attention and support. The setting is within a large suburban area that provides both quiet residential streets and easy access to local amenities.
While specific test score data is not available, the school's MySchoolScout rating suggests there may be room for academic growth. However, with dedicated teachers and a supportive community environment, The Common School focuses on nurturing each child’s development and providing a strong foundation in early education. The school sits in a part of Amherst that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and nearby parks, creating a welcoming atmosphere for students and families alike.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 75 students, The Common School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 3:1, The Common School 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.
As a private school, The Common School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Common School compares to the 5 public schools in Amherst, MA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Amherst
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Common School (this school) | 6.4 |
| Crocker Farm Elementary | 9.2 |
| Amherst Regional High | 8.5 |
| Fort River Elementary | 7.4 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School | 8.0 |
| Wildwood Elementary | 7.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
521 S PLEASANT ST, Amherst, MA 01002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Common School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crocker Farm Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wildwood Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fort River Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crocker Farm Elementary Amherst | 0.9 mi | 9.2 |
| AMHERST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Amherst | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Amherst Regional High Amherst | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School Amherst | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Fort River Elementary Amherst | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Wildwood Elementary Amherst | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School Hadley | 1.8 mi | 8.5 |
| THE HARTSBROOK SCHOOL Hadley | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Pelham Elementary Pelham | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hadley Elementary Hadley | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Hopkins Academy Hadley | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Hatfield Elementary Hatfield | 4.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Smith Academy Hatfield | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Granby Jr Sr High School Granby | 6.7 mi | 5.9 |
| East Meadow Granby | 6.7 mi | 4.2 |
| THE MACDUFFIE SCHOOL Granby | 6.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Leverett Elementary Leverett | 7.3 mi | 3.8 |
| CUTCHINS PROGRAM Northampton | 5.8 mi | — |
| THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHAMPTON Northampton | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Bridge Street Northampton | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
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 The Common School 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 |
|---|---|
| HELLENIC AMERICAN ACADEMY Lowell, MA | 6.5 |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOL Arlington, MA | 6.5 |
| Colrain Central Colrain, MA | 6.3 |
| GREENFIELD CENTER SCHOOL Greenfield, MA | 6.3 |
| LANDER GRINSPOON ACADEMY - SOLOMON SCHECHTER Northampton, MA | 6.3 |
| SU ESCUELA LANGUAGE ACADEMY/SELA THE INTERNATIONAL Hingham, MA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Common School
What grades does The Common School serve?
The Common School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend The Common School?
The Common School has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Common School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Common School is 3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Common School rank in MA?
The Common School is ranked #184 out of 389 private schools in MA.
What is The Common School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Common School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.
Is The Common School a private school?
Yes, The Common School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Common School a religious school?
No, The Common School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (479/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Amherst). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 75
- Gender Split
- 73% M / 27% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- HAMPSHIRE
- Phone
- (413) 256-8989
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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