Average
#438 of 966 schools in NE
Top 45% in state
Amherst High School
High School · AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS
100 N SYCAMORE PO BOX 8, Amherst, NE 68812
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Amherst
#2 of 2
public schools
Nebraska high schools
#136 of 263
In district
#2 of 2
AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS
About Amherst High School
AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Amherst, Nebraska. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 167 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. The dedicated staff includes 17 full-time equivalent teachers who support the academic needs of their diverse student body.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL has an overall rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #562 among Nebraska’s 974 schools. In terms of academics, students perform at a rate where 47% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 54% are proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is committed to fostering student development and academic growth.
AMHERST HIGH SCHOOL is situated in a remote rural setting, offering students a close-knit community environment with strong ties between faculty, students, and families. The area provides a peaceful backdrop that supports educational pursuits and personal connections within its small-town charm.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 167 students, Amherst High 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 9.8:1, Amherst High 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.
Located in a rural area, Amherst High 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
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Amherst High School — Students at Amherst High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NE 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: 5.4/10.
How Amherst High School Compares
See how Amherst High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
100 N SYCAMORE PO BOX 8, Amherst, NE 68812
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Amherst High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Kearney), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ELM CREEK HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Elm Creek), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF KEARNEY (rated 5.9/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Kearney), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AMHERST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| KIMBALL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Kimball, NE | 6.5 |
| NELIGH-OAKDALE HIGH SCHOOL Neligh, NE | 6.5 |
| SOUTH PLATTE HIGH SCHOOL Big Springs, NE | 6.5 |
| UMO N HO N NATION HIGH SCHOOL Macy, NE | 6.5 |
| WALTHILL HIGH SCHOOL Walthill, NE | 6.5 |
| WEST HOLT HIGH SCHOOL Atkinson, NE | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Amherst High School
What grades does Amherst High School serve?
Amherst High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Amherst High School?
Amherst High School has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Amherst High School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Amherst High School rank in NE?
Amherst High School is ranked #438 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Amherst High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Amherst High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst High School has 53.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Amherst High School a charter school?
No, Amherst High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Amherst High School a Title I school?
No, Amherst High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Amherst High School?
22.2% of students at Amherst High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (173/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 167
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Buffalo County
- Phone
- (308) 826-3131
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 380
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,723
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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