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Very Good

#2622 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 31% in state

Amherst School

School · AMHERST ISD

P O BOX 248, Amherst, TX 79312

Enrollment

114

Student-Teacher

5.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#149 of 477

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Amherst School

AMHERST SCHOOL serves 114 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in the small rural community of Amherst, Texas. This public school has earned recognition as a top performer in Texas, ranking #132 out of 8,598 schools statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10, placing it in the 98th percentile. One of Amherst School's most notable features is its exceptionally small class sizes, with a student-teacher ratio of just 5.7 to 1 across its 20 full-time equivalent teachers.

This intimate learning environment allows for significant individual attention and personalized instruction that can be particularly beneficial for students at all grade levels. As a comprehensive PK-12 school, Amherst serves the entire educational journey for local families, eliminating transitions between elementary, middle, and high school buildings. This continuity can foster strong relationships between students, families, and staff over many years.

The school operates in Lamb County's ZIP code 79312, where the median household income is $53,646 and home values average $49,400. While the community faces economic challenges with a 41.4% poverty rate and only 8% of residents holding bachelor's degrees, the school's strong academic performance demonstrates its commitment to providing quality education in rural Texas.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 114 students, Amherst 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 5.7:1, Amherst 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 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 Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,906

Amherst School — Students at Amherst School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Amherst School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in TX
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

P O BOX 248, Amherst, TX 79312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Amherst School may also want to explore other schools in the area. COTTON CENTER SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 24.0 miles away, in nearby Cotton Center), which scores notably higher. Another option is WHITHARRAL SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Whitharral), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ANTON SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Anton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.0 mi
School Distance Rating
LITTLEFIELD EL Littlefield 7.4 mi 6.9
LITTLEFIELD J H Littlefield 7.5 mi 7.6
LITTLEFIELD PRI Littlefield 7.5 mi 6.7
LITTLEFIELD H S Littlefield 7.9 mi 8.3
SUDAN EL Sudan 7.6 mi 8.6
SUDAN H S Sudan 7.6 mi 7.0
SPRINGLAKE-EARTH ELEM/MIDDLE SCHOOL Earth 17.1 mi 9.6
SPRINGLAKE-EARTH H S Earth 17.1 mi 8.7
SPRINGLAKE-EARTH DAEP Earth 17.1 mi
WHITHARRAL SCHOOL Whitharral 19.8 mi 8.0
ANTON SCHOOL Anton 19.8 mi 6.7
HP WEBB EL Olton 19.3 mi 9.2
OLTON H S Olton 19.3 mi 6.8
OLTON J H Olton 19.3 mi 6.0
MARY DESHAZO EL Muleshoe 23.3 mi 8.2
MULESHOE H S Muleshoe 23.3 mi 8.7
WATSON J H Muleshoe 23.3 mi 7.4
DILLMAN EL Muleshoe 24.4 mi 7.1
CAPITOL EL Levelland 28.8 mi 7.1
COTTON CENTER SCHOOL Cotton Center 24.0 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,339

Median Home Value

$50,500

Median Rent

$969/mo

Population

1,114

College Educated

7.2%

Homeownership

72.5%

Poverty Rate

39.9%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Amherst School has a median household income of $56,339. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $50,500, with a median rent of $969/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BIG SPRINGS CHARTER SCHOOL Ingram, TX 7.1
CUNAE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL The Woodlands, TX 7.1
FULL ARMOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Henderson, TX 7.1
GOLD BURG SCHOOL Bowie, TX 7.1
MORAN SCHOOL Moran, TX 7.1
MOUNT CALM ISD Mount Calm, TX 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Amherst School

What grades does Amherst School serve?

Amherst School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Amherst School?

Amherst School has an enrollment of approximately 114 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst School?

The student-teacher ratio at Amherst School is 5.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Amherst School rank in TX?

Amherst School is ranked #2622 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Amherst School's MySchoolScout rating?

Amherst School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst School has 27.0% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Amherst School a charter school?

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

Is Amherst School a Title I school?

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

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

92.1% of students at Amherst 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (356/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
114
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lamb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

AMHERST ISD
District Enrollment
114
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,475
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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