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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How The Common School compares to the 5 public schools in Amherst, MA

Student-Teacher Ratio
3:1
This School
vs
9.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
75
This School
vs
439
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
8.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 80% vs 0%
Black 6.7% vs 0%
Asian 5.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.3% vs 0%
The Common School Amherst Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,105
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 35%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 75
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)

White 80.0%
Black 6.7%
Two or More 6.7%
Asian 5.3%
Hispanic 1.3%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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