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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,447

Amherst High School — Students at Amherst High School score 50% 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

22.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
42%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in NE
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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