The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Social studies. The lowest is 52% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Amherst Regional Middle School
Amherst Regional Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders from its namesake town and the broader Amherst-Pelham Regional School District. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and sits in a community that is defined by the presence of three higher-education institutions—University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst College, and Hampshire College—whose student populations, cultural offerings, and rhythms shape daily life. The town of Amherst is a mix of a walkable downtown core and surrounding suburban and rural areas, with an economy dominated by the colleges and the school district itself.
The school is moderate-sized for a two-grade middle school. Its student body is diverse: a slight majority of students are white, with meaningful shares of Asian, Hispanic, and Black students, and smaller numbers of students who identify as two or more races or as Native American. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education status, and English learner status were not available, so a parent would want to ask the school directly about the share of students receiving support services and how those resources are allocated.
On the Massachusetts Next-Generation MCAS assessments, Amherst Regional Middle School’s overall proficiency across tested subjects places it in the top quarter of all reporting districts in Hampshire County when compared at the school level. That is a clear strength relative to its neighbors. Within the school, results vary by subject. In ELA, just over half of students met or exceeded expectations, a level that has held fairly steady in recent years after modest variation. Science proficiency is somewhat higher. Social studies, tested only in eighth grade, shows a majority of students reaching proficiency. Math is the softer spot: a little more than half of students were proficient in the most recent year, but that figure has fluctuated noticeably over the past several years, including a period where it dipped below half. A parent looking at the trend may want to discuss math instruction and supports with the school.
Because this is a middle school serving only grades 7 and 8, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data were also not available. The district brief turned up little in the way of recent structural or programmatic changes that would affect families choosing this school.
The housing market in Amherst is expensive relative to national benchmarks. Median home values are well above the nationwide figure, and rents are high, reflecting the constrained supply in a college town with strong institutional demand. This context matters for families considering a move into the district: the cost of living is a factor, and the town’s population growth has slowed after earlier decades of expansion tied to UMass.
For a family evaluating this school, the academic profile is one of solid, above-average performance within the county, with meaningful diversity in the student body and a math trend that merits attention. The setting is a college town with dense cultural and civic amenities, a walkable downtown, and public transit connections. The school does not offer high school programs or pathways, so the next step would be Amherst Regional High School, part of the same district. Families should inquire about special education and English learner services directly, as those data were not reported here.
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