Below Average
#1428 of 1,851 schools in VA
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Amherst County Public Schools
575 Union Hill Rd, Amherst, VA 24521
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,428 of 1,851
In Amherst
#5 of 5
public schools
In district
#8 of 9
Amherst County Public Schools
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in Amherst · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Amherst Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Amherst Elementary
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Amherst, VA, part of Amherst County Public Schools. Central Elementary serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,428 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 6.0
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Central 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
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.1%
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
↓ 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: 4.9/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central 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
575 Union Hill Rd, Amherst, VA 24521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Paul Munro Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Amherst Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Temperance Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 8.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Middle Amherst | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Amherst Elementary Amherst | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Amherst County High Amherst | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Amelon Elementary Madison Heights | 8.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Temperance Elementary Amherst | 8.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Monelison Middle Madison Heights | 9.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Madison Heights Elementary Madison Heights | 10.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Elon Elementary Madison Heights | 9.6 mi | 6.7 |
| SOLID ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH Madison Heights | 11.3 mi | — |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Madison Heights | 11.3 mi | — |
| Tye River Elementary Arrington | 11.8 mi | 6.2 |
| VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lynchburg | 11.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle for Innovation Lynchburg | 12.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Robert S. Payne Elementary Lynchburg | 13.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Dearington Elementary/Innovation Lynchburg | 12.8 mi | 5.0 |
| William M. Bass Elementary Lynchburg | 13.5 mi | 5.0 |
| E.C. Glass High Lynchburg | 13.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Paul Munro Elementary Lynchburg | 12.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Nelson County High Lovingston | 13.6 mi | 7.3 |
| T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation Lynchburg | 13.9 mi | 4.8 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Blackstone Primary Blackstone, VA | 4.7 |
| Chase City Elementary Chase City, VA | 4.7 |
| Lightfoot Elementary Unionville, VA | 4.7 |
| Mount Olivet Elementary Martinsville, VA | 4.7 |
| PROVIDENCE ACADEMY Leesburg, VA | 4.7 |
| W.G. Coleman Elementary Marshall, VA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in VA?
Central Elementary ranks #1,428 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Central Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
81.1% of students at Central 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Amherst County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.8%
- Phone
- (434) 946-9700
Resources & Links
District
Amherst County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,965
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,301
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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