Amherst, MA - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Amherst

Amherst is a school district in western Massachusetts that serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It encompasses three elementary schools: Crocker Farm, Fort River, and Wildwood. Because the district does not include middle or high school grades, there is no graduation rate or advanced coursework data to report.

Enrollment is moderate for an elementary-only district, with a student body that reflects a diverse mix of backgrounds. White students make up the largest share, followed by Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students in smaller proportions. Data on economic disadvantage and special education eligibility were not available for this profile, so a family interested in those supports would want to inquire directly with the district.

On the Massachusetts state assessments known as NextGen MCAS, Amherst’s results position the district in the top quartile for overall proficiency among Hampshire County’s districts. In English language arts and science, a little over half of students tested scored at the proficient or advanced level. In math, just under half reached that bar. These figures place the district ahead of many of its county peers, though the absolute proficiency rates leave room for growth that a parent may want to explore further with the school.

Chronic absenteeism is an area the district shares with many others in the region. About a fifth of students are chronically absent, a rate that falls on the worse side of the midpoint when compared across Hampshire County’s districts. Per-pupil current spending is in the upper range among county districts, a reflection of the resources allocated to this elementary system.

The housing market serving the district is expensive relative to national averages. A typical home in the area is valued well above the national median, and rents are substantial. Monthly mortgage costs exceed rents, and the price-to-income ratio indicates that homeownership requires significant household earnings. For families considering relocation, the cost of housing is a major factor in the overall affordability picture.

Two recent developments shape what the district looks like now and in the near future. In a vote with broad support, residents approved a debt exclusion to fund a new consolidated elementary school that will replace the aging Fort River and Wildwood buildings. The Massachusetts School Building Authority is partnering on the project, and construction is planned to begin in 2025 with a target opening of 2027. The new school will consolidate students from the two existing buildings under one roof, and the debt exclusion will increase property taxes over the life of the bond. Separately, the Amherst School Committee voted to adopt a new evidence-based literacy curriculum aligned with the science of reading. The change applies across all three elementary schools and marks a district-wide shift in how reading is taught.

Amherst is a district with solid but not uniformly high academic results, a student population that is economically and racially diverse, and above-average spending that comes with above-average housing costs. The upcoming consolidation of two elementary schools and the literacy curriculum change are concrete shifts that families moving into the area may want to understand. The district operates as a standalone elementary system, so students will transition to a separate regional middle and high school after sixth grade, a fact that matters for families planning a longer runway.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

983

Grades

PK–06

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 25%

Black 11%

White 46%

Asian 12%

Two+ 7%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

17%

56%

Gr 4

26%

69%

Gr 5

31%

64%

Gr 6

30%

76%

Gr 38

26%

67%

Math

Gr 3

21%

59%

Gr 4

65%

Gr 5

24%

63%

Gr 6

19%

71%

Gr 38

18%

65%

Science

Gr 5

27%

72%

Gr 38

27%

72%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

Crocker Farm Elementary

Fort River Elementary

Wildwood Elementary

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

1 grade reported

49%

Grades 3-8

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

53%

Grades 3-8

Science

1 grade reported

56%

Grades 3-8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$534,656

Year-over-year change+0.3%

vs. state typical0.81x

vs. national typical1.45x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
01002	Amherst	$535K	+0.3%	97.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$2,565/mo

Year-over-year change+5.1%

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
01002	Amherst	$2,565	+5.1%	97.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,698/mo

Home price / national median income6.4x

Annual rent / national median income36.8%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$133/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$661,755 (+1.5% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.