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
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Amherst Middle — Students at Amherst Middle score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Amherst Middle Compares
See how Amherst Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 81% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 75% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (434) 946-0691
- 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
- #1 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
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