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Central Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

880^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 21% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Central Elementary is a small PK–5 school in Amherst, Virginia, serving 268 students and belonging to Amherst County Public Schools. The school has shown meaningful momentum recently: after ranking in the 9th percentile of Virginia elementary schools in 2024–2025, Central climbed to the 21st percentile (880th out of 1,111) in 2025–2026. Chronic absenteeism, which had been above 26% for two straight years, dropped sharply to 13.9% — now better than the district rate of 19.0% and close to the state rate of 14.8%. About 82.84% of Central's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a poverty rate very similar to other elementary schools in the county.

Academically, Central is a mixed picture. Third grade math is a genuine bright spot at 77.78% proficiency, beating both the district (70.5%) and state (74.04%) averages. However, reading is a schoolwide concern. Fourth grade reading sits at 56.52% and 5th grade reading at 56.76%, both well below state averages. The most striking weakness is 4th grade Virginia Studies, where only 32.61% of students are proficient — a roughly 38-point gap from the state average of 70.52%, and by far the lowest result among Amherst County elementary schools. The pattern suggests a 4th grade slump, since 3rd grade scores are relatively solid and 5th grade shows partial recovery in math and science.

Central spends about $11,986 per student — more than most district peers — and has the lowest student-teacher ratio in the district at 10.7 to 1. Yet similar schools are achieving more. Elon Elementary and Temperance Elementary serve nearly identical poverty rates but rank in the 64th and 61st percentiles respectively, far above Central's 21st percentile. This suggests Central's challenges are not simply a matter of poverty or funding. With attendance improving and strong per-pupil resources in place, the school has a solid foundation — but sustained gains will likely depend on addressing the 4th grade achievement gap and raising reading proficiency across the upper elementary grades.

268

Students ?

10.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,986

Per pupil spending ?

82.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

575 Union Hill Rd
Amherst, VA 24521

(434) 946-9700

District: Amherst County Public Schools

Students who attend Central Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Amherst Middle
High:	Amherst County High

Racial breakdown:

White:

56.3%

African American:

19.0%

Two or more races:

14.2%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Central Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 18th percentile in 2016 → 21st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (58% vs 72% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (21st percentile)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school58%

District avg66%

Virginia avg72%

880^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 21%▲ up 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 6Elementary Schools in the Amherst County Public Schools

93^rd of 131Amherst County Public Schools among Virginia 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	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	26.6	880 of 1111	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	11.4	1014 of 1110	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	26.7	880 of 1114	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.2	798 of 1114	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.7	931 of 1109	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.3	817 of 1103	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	39.6	767 of 1105	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	31.0	863 of 1097	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	26.7	928 of 1099	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	28.8	894 of 1096	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	18.2	994 of 1100	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	38.0	769 of 1110	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	32.8	846 of 1120	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	31.6	919 of 1117	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	29.1	952 of 1117	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	23.3	1002 of 1113	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	25.4	959 of 1082	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	16.9	1029 of 1081	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	16.3	1019 of 1083	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	6.8	1056 of 1071	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	14.6	1004 of 1062	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	30.0	834 of 1100	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	27.4	859 of 1096	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	47.5	637 of 1098	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	37.4	762 of 1100	30.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	36.6	728 of 1040	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	15.0	969 of 1046	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	30.7	788 of 1036	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	25.9	894 of 1099	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	8.4	1034 of 1093	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	42.0	708 of 1101	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.2	661 of 1093	39.5%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	8.2	946 of 974	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	2.7	963 of 973	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.9	888 of 979	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	27.0	814 of 984	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)30th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)24th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)19th percentile~ school

White (2026)3rd percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics66%-8 vs state

Science65%-4 vs state

English Reading59%-12 vs state

VA Studies33%-38 vs state

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Schools Near Central Elementary

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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)				SOL Mathematics (2026)			SOL Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)			SOL VA Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2025)	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	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	575 Union Hill Rd	Amherst	24521	Amherst County	Amherst County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 946-9700	268	25	10.7	82.8%	151 (56.3%)	51 (19.0%)	16 (6.0%)	5 (1.9%)	7 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (14.2%)	26.6	880^th of 1111 public elementary schools	20.8%		11.4	1014^th of 1110 public elementary schools	8.6%	134	77.8	52.2	70.3	64.9	63.9	56.5	56.8	32.6	$11,986	$1,316	$10,670
Amherst Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	156 Davis St	Amherst	24521	Amherst County	Amherst County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 946-9704	307	22	13.9	83.4%	193 (62.9%)	46 (15.0%)	29 (9.4%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (11.4%)	60.4	471^st of 1111 public elementary schools	57.6%		53.7	557^th of 1110 public elementary schools	49.8%	86	74.5	77.8	65.9	77.3	80.9	88.9	70.5	68.9	$11,022	$1,610	$9,413
Amelon Elementary	Public	K-5	132 Amer Court	Madison Heights	24572	Amherst County	Amherst County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 528-6498	415	32	12.9	83.6%	243 (58.6%)	106 (25.5%)	21 (5.1%)	2 (0.5%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (9.2%)	31.4	827^th of 1111 public elementary schools	25.6%		16	969^th of 1110 public elementary schools	12.7%	142	66.7	62.3	52.9	61.8	75.0	70.1	61.8	50.7	$10,619	$1,067	$9,552
Temperance Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1981 Lowesville Rd	Amherst	24521	Amherst County	Amherst County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 946-2811	93	7	13.2	82.8%	81 (87.1%)	5 (5.4%)	4 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.2%)	62.9	437^th of 1111 public elementary schools	60.7%		73.1	308^th of 1110 public elementary schools	72.3%	129	100.0	55.0	94.7	73.7	76.9	75.0	94.7	65.0	$12,287	$595	$11,692
Elon Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	147 Younger Dr	Madison Heights	24572	Amherst County	Amherst County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 528-6496	288	22	13.0	83.0%	215 (74.7%)	35 (12.2%)	8 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.1%)	1 (0.3%)	23 (8.0%)	66.3	396^th of 1111 public elementary schools	64.4%		57	516^th of 1110 public elementary schools	53.5%	120	80.9	81.6	82.8	72.4	76.6	81.6	75.9	71.4	$10,060	$878	$9,182
Madison Heights Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	287 Learning Lane	Madison Heights	24572	Amherst County	Amherst County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 846-2151	449	32	14.0	84.0%	218 (48.6%)	127 (28.3%)	47 (10.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (12.5%)	18.7	957^th of 1111 public elementary schools	13.9%		24.1	886^th of 1110 public elementary schools	20.2%	71	58.1	58.8	49.2	57.1	54.8	66.7	57.1	52.9	$9,665	$1,688	$7,978
Tye River Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5198 Thomas Nelson Hwy	Arrington	22922	Nelson County	Nelson County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 263-8960	360	29	12.6	85.3%	245 (68.1%)	58 (16.1%)	43 (11.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.3%)	59.4	487^th of 1111 public elementary schools	56.2%		54.1	554^th of 1110 public elementary schools	50.1%	67	74.6	68.6	87.2	78.7	67.3	78.4	78.7	70.6	$13,996	$1,844	$12,152
Paul Munro Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4641 Locksview Rd	Lynchburg	24503	Lynchburg city	Lynchburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 515-5260	356	26	13.6	97.2%	173 (48.6%)	113 (31.7%)	34 (9.6%)	7 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (7.9%)	57.5	513^th of 1111 public elementary schools	53.8%		73.7	300^th of 1110 public elementary schools	73.0%	213	81.6	76.0	72.0	62.0	71.4	82.0	70.0	78.7	$8,460	$1,798	$6,661
Dearington Elementary/Innovation	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	210 Smyth St	Lynchburg	24501	Lynchburg city	Lynchburg City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(434) 515-5220	180	19	9.4	98.3%	29 (16.1%)	117 (65.0%)	11 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (11.7%)	2.7	1093^rd of 1111 public elementary schools	1.6%		24.3	884^th of 1110 public elementary schools	20.4%	209	45.5	37.8	35.6	42.2	36.4	32.4	40.0	44.4	$15,178	$2,100	$13,078
Robert S. Payne Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1201 Floyd St	Lynchburg	24501	Lynchburg city	Lynchburg City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(434) 515-5270	435	33	13.1	97.2%	79 (18.2%)	280 (64.4%)	34 (7.8%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (9.0%)	3.6	1084^th of 1111 public elementary schools	2.4%		4.8	1074^th of 1110 public elementary schools	3.2%	10	44.1	21.2	22.5	41.4	36.8	53.0	47.1	43.1	$9,579	$2,364	$7,215

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Central Elementary?

Students at Central Elementary are 56% White, 19% African American, 14% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 3% American Indian, 2% Asian.

Is Central Elementary a good school?

Central Elementary ranks in the bottom 20.8% of Virginia elementary schools.

What district is Central Elementary in?

Amherst County Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Central Elementary attend?

Students who attend Central Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Amherst Middle
High : Amherst County High

How many students attend Central Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 268 students attended Central Elementary.

Rate Central Elementary!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresNewAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 2026

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