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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,488

Amherst Middle — Students at Amherst Middle score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.8%
School
State
52.7%
ELA Proficiency 53.4%
School
State
52.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
39%
2025
Math
64.9%
ELA
58.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in WI
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (176/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tomorrow River School District
District Enrollment
1,200
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,007
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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