Average
#1437 of 1,850 schools in VA
Amherst Elementary
Elementary School · Amherst County Public Schools
156 Davis St, Amherst, VA 24521
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Amherst
#3 of 5
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#793 of 1,147
In district
#5 of 9
Amherst County Public Schools
About Amherst Elementary
Amherst Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Amherst, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 267 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Amherst Elementary holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks at the 41st percentile among Virginia schools, placing it at number 1088 out of 1856 schools in the state.
The school’s reading proficiency rate stands at 77%, while math proficiency is at 72%. These scores suggest that there is room for academic growth and improvement. Amherst Elementary offers a nurturing environment tailored to the needs of young learners, with teachers dedicated to helping each student succeed.
The rural setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Amherst Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Amherst Elementary — Students at Amherst Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.0/10.
How Amherst Elementary Compares
See how Amherst Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 71% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 75% (2025).
Location
156 Davis St, Amherst, VA 24521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Amherst Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tye River Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Arrington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dearington Elementary/Innovation (rated 6.6/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paul Munro Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Elementary Amherst | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Amherst County High Amherst | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Amherst Middle Amherst | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Temperance Elementary Amherst | 7.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Amelon Elementary Madison Heights | 9.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Monelison Middle Madison Heights | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Elon Elementary Madison Heights | 9.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights | 11.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Tye River Elementary Arrington | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights | 12.3 mi | — |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights | 12.3 mi | — |
| VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg | 12.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg | 13.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Nelson County High Lovingston | 12.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Nelson Middle Lovingston | 13.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg | 13.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Robert S. Payne Elementary Lynchburg | 13.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Paul Munro Elementary Lynchburg | 12.9 mi | 6.6 |
| E.C. Glass High Lynchburg | 14.1 mi | 8.6 |
| William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg | 14.5 mi | 6.0 |
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 Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Armstrong Elementary Hampton, VA | 5.0 |
| North River Elementary Mount Solon, VA | 5.0 |
| Patrick Henry Elementary Martinsville, VA | 5.0 |
| Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg, VA | 5.0 |
| Sontag Elementary Rocky Mount, VA | 5.0 |
| Valley Elementary Hot Springs, VA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Amherst Elementary
What grades does Amherst Elementary serve?
Amherst Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Amherst Elementary?
Amherst Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 267 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Amherst Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Amherst Elementary rank in VA?
Amherst Elementary is ranked #1437 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Amherst Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Amherst Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst Elementary has 71.5% math proficiency and 76.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Amherst Elementary a charter school?
No, Amherst Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Amherst Elementary a Title I school?
No, Amherst Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Amherst Elementary?
79.4% of students at Amherst Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,088/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Amherst). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 267
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Amherst County
- Phone
- (434) 946-9704
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Amherst County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,965
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,301
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.