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Amherst Elementary School

Q: Is Amherst Elementary School a good school?

Amherst Elementary School ranks 452 nd of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

452^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 56% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

Amherst Elementary School in Knoxville, TN, is a PK–5 public school in Knox County Schools serving 683 students. It ranked 452nd out of 1,019 Tennessee elementary schools in 2025–26, placing it at the 56th percentile statewide with a 3-star rating. Among nearby schools, Amherst sits in the middle tier — behind high performers like Ball Camp Elementary School, Bearden Elementary School, and West Hills Elementary School, but well ahead of Pond Gap Elementary School, Norwood Elementary School, and West Haven Elementary School.

Amherst's math and reading scores are solid — math proficiency was 49.5% and ELA was 46.9%, both above district and state averages. Science, however, is a clear weakness: only 41.6% of students were proficient, well below Knox County's 50.9% and the state's 46.9%. This science gap appears to have driven Amherst's overall ranking down in 2025–26, even as math and ELA held steady. A bright spot is 5th-grade math, where 61.1% of students were proficient — higher than every nearby school except Ball Camp and Bearden. Upper-elementary math instruction is a genuine strength.

Attendance is a standout. Amherst's chronic absenteeism rate is 11.3%, far better than the Knox County average of 19.4% and the state's 18.3%, and only Ball Camp ranks lower among nearby schools. The school also serves several student groups well. African American students ranked in the 82nd percentile statewide in 2025–26, and low-income and special education students have both shown meaningful improvement. One concern is a sharp decline in Hispanic student performance over the past three years. Amherst has rebounded from a 1-star rating in 2016–17 to its current 3-star standing, and with strong attendance and solid math outcomes, it is well-positioned to improve further if it can close the science gap.

683

Students ?

13.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,020

Per pupil spending ?

44.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5101 Schaad Road
Knoxville, TN 37931

(865) 560-7001

District: Knox County Schools

Students who attend Amherst Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Karns High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.1%

Hispanic:

16.5%

Two or more races:

11.4%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare Amherst Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 58th percentile in 2015 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Tennessee median (56th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg47%

Tennessee avg43%

452^nd of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Top 44%▲ up 36 pts since 2017

From bottom 20% (2017) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

27^th of 50Elementary Schools in the Knox County Schools

78^th of 141Knox County Schools among Tennessee districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	53.8	452 of 1019	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.1	353 of 1009	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.9	402 of 1018	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.3	358 of 1020	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.4	418 of 1000	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.1	294 of 983	70.1%	★★★★☆
2019	57.5	341 of 985	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.3	264 of 997	73.5%	★★★★☆
2017	29.7	520 of 646	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	59.4	357 of 855	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	45.2	500 of 853	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	62.7	355 of 846	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	60.9	332 of 820	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	74.0	197 of 818	75.9%	★★★★☆
2010	81.5	132 of 809	83.7%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	75.9	92 of 498	81.5%	★★★★☆
2025	64.7	135 of 498	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	71.9	101 of 498	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	79.4	70 of 500	86.0%	★★★★☆
2022	67.4	99 of 483	79.5%	★★★★☆
2021	83.7	44 of 411	89.3%	★★★★☆
2019	58.5	127 of 404	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.7	102 of 450	77.3%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2023	52.6	52 of 164	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	28.2	141 of 165	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	49.5	39 of 101	61.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	62.4	299 of 986	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.4	389 of 990	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.3	340 of 989	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.9	391 of 975	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	65.9	227 of 945	76.0%	★★★★☆
2019	53.4	386 of 926	58.3%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	36.8	298 of 458	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	55.5	167 of 424	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.4	106 of 415	74.5%	★★★★☆
2023	67.1	98 of 387	74.7%	★★★★☆
2022	45.4	182 of 363	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.8	102 of 324	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	45.3	110 of 250	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.3	154 of 319	51.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	54.9	331 of 823	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	47.0	448 of 843	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	58.2	287 of 853	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.1	142 of 865	83.6%	★★★★☆
2022	53.9	335 of 858	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	70.8	126 of 823	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	60.4	227 of 821	72.4%	★★★★☆
2018	55.3	321 of 877	63.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	55.2	393 of 984	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.5	402 of 991	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.8	367 of 987	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.7	443 of 980	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.7	388 of 941	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.0	308 of 916	66.4%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	42.9	306 of 641	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	33.5	401 of 618	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.3	322 of 582	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.6	186 of 528	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.4	154 of 447	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	33.3	252 of 369	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.4	161 of 255	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	29.2	302 of 395	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	46.8	432 of 849	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	54.6	341 of 840	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.1	443 of 847	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	47.8	407 of 852	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.2	430 of 844	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	54.3	317 of 844	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.1	296 of 812	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.2	222 of 841	73.6%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2026)82nd percentile+26 vs school

Female (2025)70th percentile+5 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)68th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2025)60th percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)60th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)52nd percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)49th percentile-7 vs school

Hispanic (2026)35th percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics50%+6 vs state

English Language Arts47%+6 vs state

Science42%-5 vs state

3.7

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 3, 2017

While Amherst has some amazing level 4/5 teachers, there is rampant bullying within this school and nothing is done about it. Not only is there student on student bullying there is teacher on student bullying and intimidation, and teacher on teacher bullying/intimidation...and if you go talk to the administration of this school they will tell you it is the first they've ever heard of this problem and your complaints will be swept under the rug. Then, when the next person complains it will, again, be the first time they've heard a thing about it. Not only do they seem to tolerate bullying, some teachers actively encourage it and engage in it, and the bullies seem to be rewarded for their bad behaviors. In addition certain teachers engage in retaliatory behaviors against students when they do not like a specific parent, child, or teacher...not only do they retaliate against that specific person's child...they retaliate against all of that child's friends as well. If they do not like a child's teacher, they treat that teacher's students poorly. Certain teachers yell at the children, call them stupid, call their work crap, throw things and kick objects within the classroom while "pitching a fit"/angry. Amherst used to be a really good school, but about 3 to 4 years ago they got a bunch of "newbie" teachers and it has been downhill ever since. As I said, Amherst does have some amazing teachers, but it also has far too many "stinkers". Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Friday, August 21, 2009

I love this school, it is AWSOME!!!!!!!! Close Quote

Schools Near Amherst Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)				TNReady English Language Arts (2026)				TNReady Science (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2020)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 3rd Grade	TNReady Mathematics 4th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Amherst Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5101 Schaad Road	Knoxville	37931	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 560-7001	692	53	13.0	44.7%	434 (62.7%)	57 (8.2%)	123 (17.8%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	75 (10.8%)	53.8	452^nd of 1019 public elementary schools	55.6%		60.1	353^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	65.0%	99	40.3	50.0	61.1	49.5	45.4	47.9	47.8	46.9	38.7	42.7	44.4	41.6	$15,020	$933	$13,240
Karns Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8108 Beaver Ridge Road	Knoxville	37931	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7767	1,047	67	15.5	36.0%	755 (72.1%)	66 (6.3%)	142 (13.6%)	14 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	67 (6.4%)	54.7	440^th of 1019 public elementary schools	56.8%		61.5	345^th of 1009 public elementary schools	65.8%	95	34.3	52.4	54.9	47.8	41.1	54.8	40.1	45.6	40.8	52.4	44.4	46.2	$13,915	$799	$12,305
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3013 Walnoaks Road	Knoxville	37921	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 594-1354	297	25	11.8		154 (51.9%)	33 (11.1%)	69 (23.2%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (12.8%)	46	546^th of 1019 public elementary schools	46.4%		65.5	291^st of 1009 public elementary schools	71.2%	255	20.0	48.9	28.2	33.1	40.0	48.9	33.3	41.1	42.5	55.6	53.8	50.8	$16,582	$1,207	$14,347
West Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	409 Vanosdale Road	Knoxville	37919	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7850	721	50	14.4		406 (56.3%)	86 (11.9%)	131 (18.2%)	22 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	72 (10.0%)	59.2	375^th of 1019 public elementary schools	63.2%		66.7	277^th of 1009 public elementary schools	72.5%	98	52.3	44.4	42.1	46.4	51.4	47.9	34.7	45.1	54.2	65.0	43.2	54.9	$14,596	$1,030	$12,819
Cedar Bluff Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	705 North Cedar Bluff Road	Knoxville	37923	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7721	1,053	73	14.4	45.7%	607 (57.6%)	100 (9.5%)	227 (21.6%)	16 (1.5%)	2 (0.2%)	18 (1.7%)	83 (7.9%)	47.3	524^th of 1019 public elementary schools	48.6%		52.8	452^nd of 1009 public elementary schools	55.2%	72	34.0	48.9	37.7	40.5	38.7	47.5	35.2	40.7	43.6	53.8	43.2	47.1	$13,155	$726	$11,885
Ball Camp Elementary School	Public	K-5	9801 Middlebrook Pike	Knoxville	37931	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 539-7888	562	36	15.5	28.7%	398 (70.8%)	31 (5.5%)	57 (10.1%)	23 (4.1%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (8.9%)	77.1	177^th of 1019 public elementary schools	82.6%		78.3	166^th of 1009 public elementary schools	83.5%	11	56.3	60.8	65.4	60.4	54.8	51.5	67.1	56.9	55.8	56.9	67.9	59.5	$13,270	$674	$11,956
Powell Elementary School	Public	K-5	1711 Spring Street	Powell	37849	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 938-2048	842	54	15.6	43.2%	610 (72.4%)	23 (2.7%)	148 (17.6%)	8 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (6.2%)	58.5	389^th of 1019 public elementary schools	61.8%		57.6	383^rd of 1009 public elementary schools	62.0%	6	43.1	49.3	47.9	46.8	49.2	51.1	43.0	47.9	54.0	51.8	43.0	49.7	$12,580	$790	$11,089
Norwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1909 Merchant Drive	Knoxville	37912	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 689-1460	489	35	13.9		136 (27.8%)	122 (24.9%)	188 (38.4%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (7.8%)	13	907^th of 1019 public elementary schools	11.0%		15.5	880^th of 1009 public elementary schools	12.8%	27	20.7	34.8	15.4	22.9	18.8	31.8	16.7	21.8	22.1	28.8	11.5	20.4	$15,943	$1,668	$13,314
West Haven Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3620 Sisk Road	Knoxville	37921	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(865) 594-4467	353	20	17.4		119 (33.7%)	95 (26.9%)	99 (28.0%)	13 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	26 (7.4%)	13.9	902^nd of 1019 public elementary schools	11.5%		17.5	865^th of 1009 public elementary schools	14.3%	37	27.1	26.8	10.5	22.5	31.3	21.4	10.5	21.8	27.1	26.8	13.2	23.2	$16,249	$1,529	$13,632
Bearden Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5717 Kingston Pike	Knoxville	37919	Knox County	Knox County Schools	No	No	No	No	(865) 909-9000	387	26	15.0	35.7%	262 (67.7%)	52 (13.4%)	42 (10.9%)	12 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	17 (4.4%)	74.3	201^st of 1019 public elementary schools	80.3%		85.7	117^th of 1009 public elementary schools	88.4%	84	43.7	57.7	62.1	53.6	54.9	65.4	47.5	55.5	52.1	69.2	63.8	60.8	$13,629	$674	$12,378

Frequently Asked Questions about Amherst Elementary School

Is Amherst Elementary School a good school?

Amherst Elementary School ranks 452^nd of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Amherst Elementary School in?

Knox County Schools

What schools do graduates of Amherst Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Amherst Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Karns High School

What is the racial makeup of Amherst Elementary School?

Students at Amherst Elementary School are 62% White, 17% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 10% African American.

How many students attend Amherst Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 683 students attended Amherst Elementary School.

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Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.