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Below Average

#4087 of 4,742 schools in NY

Willow Ridge Elementary School

Elementary School · SWEET HOME CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

480 WILLOW RIDGE DR, Amherst, NY 14228

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#4,087 of 4,742

In Amherst

#9 of 9

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

SWEET HOME CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Willow Ridge Elementary School

4.3/10

Elementary School in Amherst · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sweet Home Senior High School

8.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Autism Services

5.4/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Willow Ridge Elementary School

Willow Ridge Elementary School is a public elementary school in Amherst, NY, part of SWEET HOME CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Willow Ridge Elementary School serves approximately 394 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Ridge Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,087 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for Willow Ridge Elementary School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • NY avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,505
Chronic Absenteeism25.4%

Willow Ridge Elementary School — Students at Willow Ridge Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
48.1% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 57.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
57.0% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
39.8%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
35.4%
ELA
39.3%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Willow Ridge Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
14th percentile in NY
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.4%

Location

480 WILLOW RIDGE DR, Amherst, NY 14228

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Ridge Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SMALLWOOD DRIVE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MAPLEMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Tonawanda), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
SWEET HOME SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Amherst 0.6 mi 8.0
AUTISM SERVICES Amherst 1.1 mi 5.4
HERITAGE HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst 1.1 mi 5.1
GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda 1.0 mi 6.3
ST CHRISTOPHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda 1.2 mi 5.7
SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst 1.5 mi 5.6
JEWISH HERITAGE DAY SCHOOL/OHR TEMIMIM Amherst 1.3 mi 6.4
KENMORE EAST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Tonawanda 2.1 mi 5.7
MAPLEMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst 2.4 mi 6.7
THOMAS A EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda 2.6 mi 5.4
HEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williamsville 2.3 mi 6.3
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Buffalo 3.1 mi 4.9
BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo 3.1 mi 3.7
HEIM MIDDLE SCHOOL Williamsville 2.5 mi 6.0
WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL Amherst 3.4 mi 5.4
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Amherst 3.4 mi 6.3
SPRUCE SCHOOL North Tonawanda 2.7 mi 6.1
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tonawanda 2.7 mi
AMHERST CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Amherst 3.6 mi 8.2
SMALLWOOD DRIVE SCHOOL Amherst 3.5 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 14228 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,426

Median Home Value

$246,100

Median Rent

$1,264/mo

Population

24,345

College Educated

48.8%

Homeownership

54.1%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

33.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL EAST HARLEM New York, NY 4.3
ANNA MERRITT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lockport, NY 4.3
BELMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Babylon, NY 4.3
CANDOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Candor, NY 4.3
CLIFFORD WISE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Medina, NY 4.3
DISCOVERY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Ridge Elementary School

What grades does Willow Ridge Elementary School serve?

Willow Ridge Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Willow Ridge Elementary School?

Willow Ridge Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Ridge Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Ridge Elementary School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow Ridge Elementary School rank in NY?

Willow Ridge Elementary School ranks #4,087 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is Willow Ridge Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Ridge Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Willow Ridge Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Ridge Elementary School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Willow Ridge Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Willow Ridge Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

33.0% of students at Willow Ridge 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Erie County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.4%

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