Photo: TonyTheTiger · CC BY-SA 3.0Amherst’s public schools outscore 82% of New York districts
Math proficiency in Amherst’s districts is 61%, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Amherst, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New York, not nationally.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 75% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Amherst’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 983 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Amherst’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 82% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 61% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Williamsville Central spends $20,869 per student and Sweet Home Central $25,820, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Benedict School (private), The Park School of Buffalo (private), Christian Central Academy (private), Christ the King Elementary School (private), Gateway-Longview Lynde School (private), Autism Services (private), St. Peter and Paul School (private), Jewish Heritage Day School/Ohr Temimim (private), CHC Learning Center (private) and Amherst Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Amherst’s grade
A−: better than 82% of New York school districts, #90 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Amherst, with each school’s own grade.
Amherst runs its own schools through grade 12 (Williamsville Central School District). From grade PK, students attend the Sweet Home Central School District. Parts of Amherst (10% of its land) are served by Amherst Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Amherst
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Amherst vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Amherst’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst | A− | Williamsville Central PK–12 · Sweet Home Central PK–12 |
| Pendleton | A− | Starpoint Central |
| Cheektowaga | D | Cheektowaga Central |
| Buffalo | D | Buffalo City |
| North Tonawanda | B− | North Tonawanda City |
| Tonawanda | C+ | Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free |
| Wheatfield | B+ | Niagara-Wheatfield Central PK–12 · Starpoint Central K–12 |
| Clarence | A | Clarence Central |
| Williamsville | A | Williamsville Central |
Every school in Amherst
32 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Amherst’s schools
Are Amherst’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Amherst children attend outscore 82% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #90 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Amherst in?
Two districts: Williamsville Central School District runs grades PK–12, and Sweet Home Central School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Amherst kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Williamsville North High School, Sweet Home Senior High School, Williamsville East High School and Williamsville South High School.
What is Amherst’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Williamsville Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Amherst spend per student?
$20,869 in Williamsville Central School District and $25,820 in Sweet Home Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Amherst?
Yes: St. Benedict School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 427 students), The Park School of Buffalo (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 289 students), Christian Central Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 233 students), Christ the King Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 157 students), Gateway-Longview Lynde School (special education, grades K–12, 123 students), Autism Services (special education, grades , 96 students), St. Peter and Paul School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 93 students), Jewish Heritage Day School/Ohr Temimim (religious, grades PK–11, 79 students), CHC Learning Center (special education, grades PK, 52 students) and Amherst Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 49 students).
Parents talk
What Amherst families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Amherst → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New York. Stars are from neighbors.