Very Good
#628 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 34% 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
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#628 of 1,851
In Amherst
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 9
Amherst County Public Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Amherst Middle
Middle School in Amherst · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Amherst Elementary
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Amherst Middle
Amherst Middle is a public middle school in Amherst, VA, part of Amherst County Public Schools. Amherst Middle serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Amherst Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #628 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Amherst Middle show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 5.9
- VA avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Amherst Middle 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 Middle — Students at Amherst Middle score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
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 33 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: 6.8/10.
How Amherst Middle Compares
See how Amherst Middle 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
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 7.5/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Lovingston), with a very similar rating. Another option is Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation (rated 5.6/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Monelison Middle (rated 4.6/10, 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 | 4.7 |
| Amherst Elementary Amherst | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Amherst County High Amherst | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Amelon Elementary Madison Heights | 8.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Temperance Elementary Amherst | 9.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Monelison Middle Madison Heights | 9.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights | 11.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Elon Elementary Madison Heights | 9.8 mi | 6.7 |
| SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights | 11.4 mi | — |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights | 11.4 mi | — |
| Tye River Elementary Arrington | 11.7 mi | 6.2 |
| VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg | 11.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg | 12.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Robert S. Payne Elementary Lynchburg | 13.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg | 13.0 mi | 5.0 |
| William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg | 13.6 mi | 5.0 |
| E.C. Glass High Lynchburg | 13.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Paul Munro Elementary Lynchburg | 12.6 mi | 9.4 |
| Nelson County High Lovingston | 13.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Nelson Middle Lovingston | 13.6 mi | 7.5 |
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 |
|---|---|
| John N. Dalton Intermediate Radford, VA | 7.2 |
| Kings Glen Elementary Springfield, VA | 7.2 |
| Signal Knob Middle Strasburg, VA | 7.2 |
| Independence Middle Independence, VA | 7.4 |
| Northumberland Middle Heathsville, VA | 7.0 |
| Central Middle Charlotte Court House, VA | 6.9 |
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 ranks #628 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Amherst Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Amherst Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Amherst Middle has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (434) 946-0691
Resources & Links
District
Amherst County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,965
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,301
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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