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Average

#1849 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 39% in state

Amherst Central High School

High School · AMHERST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

4301 MAIN ST, Amherst, NY 14226

Enrollment

886

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Amherst

#4 of 9

public schools

New York high schools

#479 of 1,160

In district

#1 of 4

AMHERST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Amherst Central High School

Amherst Central High School serves 886 students in grades 9-12 in the suburban community of Amherst, New York. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school earns a 6.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #1,773 out of 4,758 high schools statewide, placing it in the 63rd percentile among New York schools.

This indicates solid performance with room for continued academic growth and development. Located at 4301 Main Street, Amherst Central High School sits in a well-established suburban area where the median household income reaches $79,330 and home values average $213,900. The surrounding ZIP code of 14226 is home to nearly 30,000 residents, with an impressive 57% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a highly educated community that values learning.

The low poverty rate of 8.1% suggests economic stability throughout the neighborhood. As a regular public high school in Erie County, Amherst Central serves students in a large suburban setting that combines the resources of a sizable community with the benefits of a college-educated, economically stable population that supports educational achievement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency99.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency91%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+25.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation26.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,958

Amherst Central High School — Students at Amherst Central High School score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 99.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 88.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
99.5%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
99.5%
ELA
82%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Amherst Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
61th percentile in NY
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

Location

4301 MAIN ST, Amherst, NY 14226

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Amherst Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CLEVELAND HILL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Cheektowaga), with a comparable rating. Additionally, FREDERICK OLMSTED #156 (rated 5.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Buffalo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
AMHERST MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst 0.5 mi 4.5
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Amherst 0.6 mi 6.3
SMALLWOOD DRIVE SCHOOL Amherst 0.9 mi 4.8
CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst 0.9 mi 6.2
HIGHGATE HEIGHTS Buffalo 1.2 mi 4.2
CLEVELAND HILL HIGH SCHOOL Cheektowaga 1.5 mi 6.1
CLEVELAND HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cheektowaga 1.5 mi 3.6
CLEVELAND HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cheektowaga 1.5 mi 5.7
MAPLEMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst 1.7 mi 7.2
WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL Amherst 1.4 mi 6.2
FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williamsville 1.5 mi 7.1
CHARTER SCHOOL OF INQUIRY Buffalo 2.1 mi 2.6
WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 1.9 mi 2.9
NATIVITYMIGUEL MIDDLE SCHOOL, ST MONICA CAMPUS Buffalo 2.1 mi 6.1
ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.8 mi 8.3
SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst 2.3 mi 3.8
FREDERICK OLMSTED #156 Buffalo 2.4 mi 5.2
PS 82 Buffalo 2.5 mi 3.1
THE ARC ERIE COUNTY NEW YORK Cheektowaga 2.6 mi 7.2
BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 2.4 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,023

Median Home Value

$237,500

Median Rent

$1,093/mo

Population

29,482

College Educated

57.1%

Homeownership

72.4%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Amherst Central High School has a median household income of $83,023. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $237,500, with a median rent of $1,093/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Amherst Central High School

What grades does Amherst Central High School serve?

Amherst Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Amherst Central High School?

Amherst Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 886 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Amherst Central High School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Amherst Central High School rank in NY?

Amherst Central High School is ranked #1849 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Amherst Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Amherst Central High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst Central High School has 99.5% math proficiency and 88.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Amherst Central High School a charter school?

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

Is Amherst Central High School a Title I school?

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

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

30.1% of students at Amherst Central 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

Walk Score
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (64/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
886
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Erie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

AMHERST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
3,043
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,549
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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