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Below Average

#1579 of 1,850 schools in VA

Amherst County High

High School · Amherst County Public Schools

139 Lancer Lane, Amherst, VA 24521

Enrollment

1,243

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Amherst

#4 of 5

public schools

Virginia high schools

#319 of 323

In district

#7 of 9

Amherst County Public Schools

About Amherst County High

Amherst County High serves 1,243 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Amherst, Virginia. With 83 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.0:1, providing reasonable class sizes for high school students navigating their academic and career preparation. The school ranks #1,188 out of 1,856 Virginia high schools, placing it in the 36th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10.

While this indicates room for academic growth, the school serves as the central educational hub for families throughout Amherst County's rural landscape. The surrounding community reflects a mix of working families and established residents, with a median household income of $64,700 and median home values around $206,900. About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.2% among the ZIP code's nearly 10,000 residents.

As a comprehensive public high school, Amherst County High provides essential educational services to teenagers across this rural Virginia county, preparing students for their next steps whether in higher education or entering the workforce. The school's rural setting offers students a close-knit community atmosphere while serving families throughout the broader Amherst County area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Amherst County High 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 Progress3.4Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg-13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,028

Amherst County High — Students at Amherst County High score 71% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 81.3%
School
State
75.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
81%
2025
Math
62%
ELA
80%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Amherst County High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
15th percentile in VA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers

Location

139 Lancer Lane, Amherst, VA 24521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Amherst County High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. E.C. Glass High (rated 8.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Amherst Elementary Amherst 1.4 mi 5.0
Central Elementary Amherst 1.2 mi 3.5
Amherst Middle Amherst 1.4 mi 8.0
Amelon Elementary Madison Heights 7.6 mi 3.3
Temperance Elementary Amherst 8.6 mi 6.1
Monelison Middle Madison Heights 8.5 mi 5.3
Elon Elementary Madison Heights 8.5 mi 5.8
Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights 10.4 mi 4.3
SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights 10.9 mi
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights 10.9 mi
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg 10.9 mi 6.7
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg 12.2 mi 5.4
Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg 12.3 mi 6.6
Robert S. Payne Elementary Lynchburg 12.5 mi 3.1
Paul Munro Elementary Lynchburg 11.6 mi 6.6
E.C. Glass High Lynchburg 12.7 mi 8.6
William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg 13.1 mi 6.0
Bedford Hills Elementary Lynchburg 12.4 mi 7.4
Tye River Elementary Arrington 12.5 mi 7.8
T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation Lynchburg 13.3 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,077

Median Home Value

$233,600

Median Rent

$830/mo

Population

10,101

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Amherst County High has a median household income of $69,077. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $233,600, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Caroline High Milford, VA 4.3
Staunton River High Moneta, VA 4.9
Powhatan High Powhatan, VA 5.0
Heritage High Lynchburg, VA 5.1
Hermitage High Richmond, VA 5.1
Alleghany High Covington, VA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Amherst County High

What grades does Amherst County High serve?

Amherst County High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Amherst County High?

Amherst County High has an enrollment of approximately 1,243 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst County High?

The student-teacher ratio at Amherst County High is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Amherst County High rank in VA?

Amherst County High is ranked #1579 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Amherst County High's MySchoolScout rating?

Amherst County High has a composite rating of 4.3 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 County High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst County High has 68.0% math proficiency and 81.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Amherst County High a charter school?

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

Is Amherst County High a Title I school?

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

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

77.0% of students at Amherst County High 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,088/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Amherst). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,243
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
83
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Amherst County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Amherst County Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,965
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,301
District Rank
#7 of 9

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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