Average
#183 of 388 private schools in MA
Top 47% of private schools
The Common School
Elementary School
521 S PLEASANT ST, Amherst, MA 01002
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
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Massachusetts private schools
#183 of 388
In Amherst
#1 of 2
public schools
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The Common School
Elementary School in Amherst · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Crocker Farm Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Amherst Montessori School
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Common School
The Common School is a private elementary school in Amherst, MA. The Common School serves approximately 75 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 3:1 student-teacher ratio. The Common School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #183 of 388 private schools in MA.
- This school 6.4 · Average
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 75 students, The Common School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 3:1 students to teachers, The Common School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
The Common School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
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 | 9.5 |
| Amherst Regional High | 8.0 |
| Fort River Elementary | 8.1 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School | 8.3 |
| Wildwood Elementary | 8.6 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat 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 9.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wildwood Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fort River Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 9.5 |
| AMHERST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Amherst | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Amherst Regional High Amherst | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School Amherst | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Fort River Elementary Amherst | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Wildwood Elementary Amherst | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School Hadley | 1.8 mi | 8.9 |
| THE HARTSBROOK SCHOOL Hadley | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Pelham Elementary Pelham | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Hadley Elementary Hadley | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Hopkins Academy Hadley | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Hatfield Elementary Hatfield | 4.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Smith Academy Hatfield | 4.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Granby Jr Sr High School Granby | 6.7 mi | 5.8 |
| East Meadow Granby | 6.7 mi | 4.6 |
| THE MACDUFFIE SCHOOL Granby | 6.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Leverett Elementary Leverett | 7.3 mi | 5.0 |
| CUTCHINS PROGRAM Northampton | 5.8 mi | — |
| THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHAMPTON Northampton | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Bridge Street Northampton | 5.8 mi | 5.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LANDER GRINSPOON ACADEMY - SOLOMON SCHECHTER Northampton, MA | 6.4 |
| HELLENIC AMERICAN ACADEMY Lowell, MA | 6.5 |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOL Arlington, MA | 6.5 |
| GREENFIELD CENTER SCHOOL Greenfield, MA | 6.3 |
| SU ESCUELA LANGUAGE ACADEMY/SELA THE INTERNATIONAL Hingham, MA | 6.3 |
| Colrain Central Colrain, MA | 6.6 |
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 ranks #183 of 388 private schools in MA.
What is The Common School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Common School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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 County
- Phone
- (413) 256-8989
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