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Very Good

#300 of 966 schools in NE

Top 31% in state

Amherst Elementary School

Elementary School · AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS

100 N SYCAMORE PO BOX 8, Amherst, NE 68812

Enrollment

213

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Amherst

#1 of 2

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#187 of 530

In district

#1 of 2

AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Amherst Elementary School

AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Amherst, Nebraska. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 213 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, AMHERST ELEMENTARY offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.

The school employs 11 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of their young learners. AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 71st percentile among Nebraska schools. In terms of academic performance, AMHERST ELEMENTARY ranks higher in math, with 75% of students proficient or above, compared to ELA/Reading scores where 64% are proficient or above.

The school is focused on enhancing its curriculum and supporting student development, especially in areas that require improvement. AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sits in a quiet rural setting, providing a peaceful environment for learning and growth. The community values the close-knit atmosphere and the strong bonds between students, teachers, and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Amherst Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+20.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,447

Amherst Elementary School — Students at Amherst Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 75.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
62%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Amherst Elementary School Compares

See how Amherst Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in NE
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

100 N SYCAMORE PO BOX 8, Amherst, NE 68812

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Amherst Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ELM CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Elm Creek), which scores notably higher. Another option is WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Kearney), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Kearney), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.4 mi
School Distance Rating
AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL Amherst 0.0 mi 6.5
ELM CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elm Creek 9.8 mi 8.5
ELM CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Elm Creek 9.8 mi 6.0
GLENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 10.8 mi 5.2
WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney 11.8 mi 7.3
BUFFALO HILLS ELEMENTARY Kearney 11.3 mi 6.7
WINDY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 11.7 mi 7.8
KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney 13.0 mi 4.8
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney 12.5 mi 7.3
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 12.9 mi 6.5
PLEASANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pleasanton 12.9 mi 4.1
PLEASANTON HIGH SCHOOL Pleasanton 12.9 mi 4.6
KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 13.7 mi 7.4
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY Kearney 13.1 mi 5.9
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 13.4 mi 6.6
MEADOWLARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 12.9 mi 7.7
KEARNEY EDUCATION CENTER Kearney 13.8 mi 5.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kearney 13.7 mi 5.2
EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney 13.7 mi 7.2
SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney 13.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68812 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,833

Median Home Value

$207,300

Median Rent

$673/mo

Population

642

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Amherst Elementary School has a median household income of $68,833. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,300, with a median rent of $673/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney, NE 7.2
PRAIRIE LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 7.2
BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kearney, NE 7.3
GRANDVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alliance, NE 7.3
LOUP CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Loup City, NE 7.3
PENDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pender, NE 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Amherst Elementary School

What grades does Amherst Elementary School serve?

Amherst Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Amherst Elementary School?

Amherst Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 213 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Amherst Elementary School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Amherst Elementary School rank in NE?

Amherst Elementary School is ranked #300 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Amherst Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Amherst Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Amherst Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst Elementary School has 75.3% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Amherst Elementary School a charter school?

No, Amherst Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Amherst Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Amherst Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Amherst Elementary School?

19.7% of students at Amherst Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Buffalo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
380
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,723
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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