Very Good
#553 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 30% in state
Amherst Elementary
Elementary School · Amherst County Public Schools
156 Davis St, Amherst, VA 24521
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#553 of 1,851
In Amherst
#1 of 5
public schools
In district
#1 of 9
Amherst County Public Schools
Equity
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Amherst Elementary
Elementary School in Amherst · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Elementary
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Amherst County High
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Amherst Elementary
Amherst Elementary is a public elementary school in Amherst, VA, part of Amherst County Public Schools. Amherst Elementary serves approximately 267 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Amherst Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #553 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Amherst Elementary show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 6.0
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Amherst Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Amherst Elementary — Students at Amherst Elementary score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
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 33 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: 7.6/10.
How Amherst Elementary Compares
See how Amherst Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
156 Davis St, Amherst, VA 24521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Amherst Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paul Munro Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Temperance Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 7.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Elon Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Madison Heights), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.7 |
| Amherst County High Amherst | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Amherst Middle Amherst | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Temperance Elementary Amherst | 7.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Amelon Elementary Madison Heights | 9.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Monelison Middle Madison Heights | 9.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Elon Elementary Madison Heights | 9.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights | 11.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Tye River Elementary Arrington | 11.1 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| Nelson County High Lovingston | 12.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Nelson Middle Lovingston | 13.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg | 13.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Robert S. Payne Elementary Lynchburg | 13.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Paul Munro Elementary Lynchburg | 12.9 mi | 9.4 |
| E.C. Glass High Lynchburg | 14.1 mi | 8.0 |
| William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg | 14.5 mi | 5.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Reston, VA | 7.4 |
| Dudley Elementary Wirtz, VA | 7.4 |
| Forest Elementary Forest, VA | 7.4 |
| Jackson Memorial Elementary Austinville, VA | 7.4 |
| Pemberton Elementary Richmond, VA | 7.4 |
| Tazewell Intermediate North Tazewell, VA | 7.4 |
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 ranks #553 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Amherst Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Amherst Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Amherst Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Amherst Elementary has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.2%
- Phone
- (434) 946-9704
Resources & Links
District
Amherst County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,965
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,301
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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