For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,965 students in Amherst County, VA (there are 3 private schools, serving 344 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Amherst County, VA are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Amherst County, VA are Amherst County High School, Amherst Elementary School and Temperance Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Amherst County, VA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Virginia public school average of 54%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Amherst County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Amherst County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Amherst County High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
139 Lancer Lane
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-2898
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-2898
Grades: 9-12
| 1,243 students
Rank: #22.
Amherst Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
156 Davis St
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-9704
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-9704
Grades: PK-5
| 267 students
Rank: #33.
Temperance Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1981 Lowesville Rd
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-2811
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-2811
Grades: PK-5
| 102 students
Rank: #44.
Elon Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
147 Younger Dr
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 528-6496
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 528-6496
Grades: PK-5
| 318 students
Rank: #55.
Amelon Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
132 Amer Court
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 528-6498
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 528-6498
Grades: PK-5
| 415 students
Rank: #66.
Amherst Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
165 Gordons Fairground Rd
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-0691
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-0691
Grades: 6-8
| 356 students
Rank: #77.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
575 Union Hill Rd
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-9700
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-9700
Grades: PK-5
| 323 students
Rank: #88.
Monelison Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
257 Trojan Rd
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 846-1307
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 846-1307
Grades: 6-8
| 512 students
Rank: #99.
Madison Heights Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
287 Learning Lane
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 846-2151
Madison Heights, VA 24572
(434) 846-2151
Grades: PK-5
| 429 students
Amherst County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
229 Dancing Creek Rd
Monroe, VA 24574
(434) 528-6492
Monroe, VA 24574
(434) 528-6492
Grades: PK-5
| 45 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Amherst County, VA?
The top ranked public schools in Amherst County, VA include Amherst County High School, Amherst Elementary School and Temperance Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Amherst County?
9 public schools are located in Amherst County.
What percentage of students in Amherst County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Amherst County are educated in public schools (compared to the VA state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Amherst County?
Amherst County public schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Virginia public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Amherst County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Amherst County include: Amherst Elementary School vs. Central Elementary School, Madison Heights Elementary School vs. Central Elementary School, Amelon Elementary School vs. Central Elementary School
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.