Very Good
#474 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 23% in state
Amherst Middle
Middle School · Tomorrow River School District
357 N Main St, Amherst, WI 54406
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
270
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Amherst
#1 of 3
public schools
Wisconsin middle schools
#128 of 387
In district
#1 of 5
Tomorrow River School District
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Amherst Middle
Amherst Middle serves 270 students in grades 5-8 in the rural community of Amherst, Wisconsin. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes that benefit middle school learners. The school has earned recognition for its strong performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking an impressive #28 out of 2,112 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile among Wisconsin schools.
This outstanding ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education during these crucial developmental years. Amherst Middle draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $73,947 and the poverty rate remains low at just 5.9%. The area's median home value of $248,800 reflects the desirability of this small town of approximately 3,800 residents.
Nearly 30% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating an education-minded community that values academic achievement. Located on North Main Street in Portage County, Amherst Middle operates in Wisconsin's scenic rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit school environment where they can build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers while receiving a top-tier education.
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 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Amherst Middle Compares
See how Amherst Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 44% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39% (2021).
Location
357 N Main St, Amherst, WI 54406
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Amherst Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Waupaca Middle (rated 6.9/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Waupaca), with a comparable rating. Another option is Rosholt Middle (rated 6.3/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Rosholt), a more accessible option. Additionally, Almond-Bancroft Middle (rated 4.9/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Almond), a more accessible option. For more schools in Amherst, see our Amherst schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Elementary Amherst | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Amherst High Amherst | 0.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Tomorrow River Community Charter Amherst Junction | 6.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Tomorrow River Virtual Charter School (TRVCS) Amherst Junction | 6.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Central Sands Community High School Amherst | 4.6 mi | — |
| Waupaca Community 4-Year Old Kindergarten Waupaca | 9.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Chain Exploration Center Waupaca | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| TOMORROW'S CHILDREN Waupaca | 9.3 mi | — |
| Iola-Scandinavia High Iola | 8.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Iola-Scandinavia Elementary Iola | 8.6 mi | 8.2 |
| SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Custer | 10.2 mi | 5.6 |
| ST ADALBERT SCHOOL Rosholt | 11.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Rosholt Elementary Randolph | 12.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Rosholt High Rosholt | 12.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Rosholt Middle Rosholt | 12.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Waupaca High Waupaca | 11.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Almond-Bancroft Elementary Almond | 14.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Almond-Bancroft High Almond | 14.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Almond-Bancroft Middle Almond | 14.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Waupaca Middle Waupaca | 13.0 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,445
Median Home Value
$267,300
Median Rent
$858/mo
Population
4,008
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
86.3%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
46.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Amherst Middle has a median household income of $76,445. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $267,300, with a median rent of $858/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Olson Middle Mauston, WI | 7.4 |
| Prescott Middle Prescott, WI | 7.4 |
| Arcadia Middle Arcadia, WI | 7.5 |
| East Troy Middle East Troy, WI | 7.5 |
| Elk Mound Middle Elk Mound, WI | 7.5 |
| Howards Grove Middle Howards Grove, WI | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Amherst Middle
What grades does Amherst Middle serve?
Amherst Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Amherst Middle?
Amherst Middle has an enrollment of approximately 270 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Amherst Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Amherst Middle is 11.7:1. 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 WI?
Amherst Middle is ranked #474 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Amherst Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Amherst Middle has a composite rating of 7.4 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 58.8% math proficiency and 53.4% 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?
29.3% 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
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 270
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Portage County
- Phone
- (715) 824-5524
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tomorrow River School District- District Enrollment
- 1,200
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,007
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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