Total enrollment
3,900
-145 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Amherst County
Virginia · Public K-12
Of the public K-12 schools operating across Virginia, 10 sit inside Amherst County, collectively enrolling roughly 3,900 students (6 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high).
4-year change in Amherst County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Amherst County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Virginia | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 61.5% | #93 of 115 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,900 | #66 of 118 | #1,563 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #51 of 118 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.2:1 | #48 of 118 | #973 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 82.2% | #46 of 107 | #461 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 55.1% | #60 of 115 | #837 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Amherst County school rankings
Residents
31,485
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
2 districts
Enrollment
3,900
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$68,724
Below Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
82.2%
Above Virginia avg
Elementary
6
1,820 students
Middle
2
840 students
High
1
1,240 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Amherst County Public Schools
3,900 students · 2 districts in Amherst County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Amherst County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
24.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.7%
civilian labor
Median age
43
20.0% under 18
Test scores in Amherst County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. Virginia state average: 74.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Temperance Elementary· 83.0%
- Amherst County High· 80.0%
- Amherst Elementary· 75.0%
- Amherst Middle· 75.0%
- Elon Elementary· 74.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Central Elementary· 52.0%
- Amelon Elementary· 59.0%
- Madison Heights Elementary· 59.0%
- Monelison Middle· 70.0%
- Elon Elementary· 74.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst County High | Amherst | High | 09-12 | 1,240 | · |
| Monelison Middle | Madison Heights | Middle | 06-08 | 469 | · |
| Madison Heights Elementary | Madison Heights | Elementary | PK-05 | 449 | · |
| Amelon Elementary | Madison Heights | Elementary | PK-05 | 415 | · |
| Amherst Middle | Amherst | Middle | 06-08 | 371 | · |
| Amherst Elementary | Amherst | Elementary | PK-05 | 307 | · |
| Elon Elementary | Madison Heights | Elementary | PK-05 | 288 | · |
| Central Elementary | Amherst | Elementary | PK-05 | 268 | · |
| Temperance Elementary | Amherst | Elementary | PK-05 | 93 | · |
| Central Va. Training Ctr. | Madison Heights | Combined | PK-12 | · | · |
Cities in Amherst County
About Amherst County
In Virginia, Amherst County is a rural-scale county of about 31,485 residents. 10 public schools across the county instructs about 3,900 students between them.
Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $68,724, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 8%. That income level is 10% meaningfully below the Virginia median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Amherst County is made up of 6 elementary schools (1,820 students), 2 middle schools (840), 1 high school (1,240), and 1 combined or other schools.
Amherst County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,900 students across Amherst County.
Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,900 students, decreased 4% from the 4,045 reported in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Amherst County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data