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Excellent

#240 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 13% in state

Amherst Middle

Middle School · Amherst County Public Schools

165 Gordons Fairground Rd, Amherst, VA 24521

Enrollment

356

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Amherst

#1 of 5

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#59 of 340

In district

#1 of 9

Amherst County Public Schools

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Amherst Middle

Amherst Middle serves 356 students in grades 6 through 8 in Amherst, Virginia, earning an impressive 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #17 out of 1,856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile among Virginia's middle schools—a remarkable achievement that speaks to the quality of education provided. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, Amherst Middle maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes that can benefit middle school students during these formative years.

This staffing level supports the school's strong academic performance and high state ranking. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income is $64,700 and median home values reach $206,900. About 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.2%.

The ZIP code area serves nearly 10,000 residents who value educational excellence, as evidenced by the school's outstanding state ranking. Amherst Middle is situated in Virginia's rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit school environment away from urban distractions while still delivering top-tier academic results that rival schools across the commonwealth.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Amherst Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,028

Amherst Middle — Students at Amherst Middle score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.8%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 74.8%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
81%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
66%
2025
Math
77%
ELA
75.3%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Amherst Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
87th percentile in VA
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

165 Gordons Fairground Rd, Amherst, VA 24521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Amherst Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nelson Middle (rated 8.9/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Lovingston), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation (rated 5.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Monelison Middle (rated 5.3/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Madison Heights), a more accessible option. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Elementary Amherst 0.2 mi 3.5
Amherst Elementary Amherst 1.5 mi 5.0
Amherst County High Amherst 1.4 mi 4.3
Amelon Elementary Madison Heights 8.3 mi 3.3
Temperance Elementary Amherst 9.0 mi 6.1
Monelison Middle Madison Heights 9.1 mi 5.3
Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights 11.0 mi 4.3
Elon Elementary Madison Heights 9.8 mi 5.8
SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights 11.4 mi
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights 11.4 mi
Tye River Elementary Arrington 11.7 mi 7.8
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg 11.8 mi 6.7
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg 12.8 mi 5.4
Robert S. Payne Elementary Lynchburg 13.1 mi 3.1
Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg 13.0 mi 6.6
William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg 13.6 mi 6.0
E.C. Glass High Lynchburg 13.4 mi 8.6
Paul Munro Elementary Lynchburg 12.6 mi 6.6
Nelson County High Lovingston 13.5 mi 7.5
Nelson Middle Lovingston 13.6 mi 8.9

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 Middle 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
Coeburn Middle Coeburn, VA 8.1
Maury River Middle Lexington, VA 8.1
Nottoway Middle Crewe, VA 8.1
Prospect Heights Middle Orange, VA 8.1
Virginia Middle Bristol, VA 8.1
Central Middle Charlotte Court House, VA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Amherst Middle

What grades does Amherst Middle serve?

Amherst Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Amherst Middle?

Amherst Middle has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Amherst Middle is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Amherst Middle rank in VA?

Amherst Middle is ranked #240 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Amherst Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Amherst Middle has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Amherst Middle has 69.8% math proficiency and 74.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Amherst Middle a charter school?

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

Is Amherst Middle a Title I school?

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

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

80.1% of students at Amherst Middle 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.1%
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
#1 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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