Amherst County High School is a public high school, grades 9–12, serving Amherst County, Virginia, United States.
Serving 1,243 students in grades 9-12, Amherst County High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 57% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 81% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,243 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 34%
- Graduation Rate: 90% (Top 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 57% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 81% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 51% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Amherst County High School's student population of 1,243 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 84 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Primarily virtual)
(Primarily virtual)
Total Students
1,243 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
84 teachers
Year Founded
1955
Colors
Grey, Maroon
School Rankings
Amherst County High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Amherst County High School is 0.52, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#587 out of 1792 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)57%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)81%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)51%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
n/a
8%
Hispanic
5%
19%
Black
18%
22%
White
66%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
10%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
90%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
77%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (21-22)
6%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Lancer
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amherst County High School's ranking?
Amherst County High School is ranked #587 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
57% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while 81% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Amherst County High School?
The graduation rate of Amherst County High School is 90%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Amherst County High School?
1,243 students attend Amherst County High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
66% of Amherst County High School students are White, 18% of students are Black, 10% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Amherst County High School?
Amherst County High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Amherst County High School offer ?
Amherst County High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Primarily virtual).
What school district is Amherst County High School part of?
Amherst County High School is part of Amherst County School District.
School Reviews
Review Amherst County High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
