Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 24521

Located in zip code 24521, the three elementary schools serving the Amherst, Virginia area are all part of Amherst County Public Schools and serve grades Pre-K through 5, with enrollments ranging from just 93 students at Temperance Elementary to 268 at Central Elementary and 307 at Amherst Elementary. All three schools face nearly identical socioeconomic challenges, with about 83% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, yet their academic outcomes vary dramatically, making this a particularly informative comparison for parents.

Temperance Elementary is the clear standout, ranking in the 61st percentile statewide and outperforming the district and state averages in nearly every subject. In 2025-2026, 100% of its 3rd graders were proficient in math, and its 5th graders posted 94.7% proficiency in both math and reading. Temperance also has a strikingly low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.3%, far below the 13.9%-14.2% seen at the other two schools and the 14.8% state average. By contrast, Central Elementary is the lowest-performing school, ranking in the 21st percentile, with only 32.6% of 4th graders proficient in VA Studies and 56.8% of 5th graders proficient in reading. Amherst Elementary sits in between, ranking in the 58th percentile, with exceptional 4th grade reading scores (88.9%) but more modest results in math and science.

Several important takeaways emerge for parents. First, chronic absenteeism appears to be the strongest correlate of academic success, as Temperance's attendance advantage aligns with its high performance. Second, smaller class sizes do not guarantee better outcomes: Central has the lowest student-teacher ratio (10.7) but the weakest test scores, while Amherst has the highest ratio (13.9) and performs far better. Third, spending differences are too small to explain the achievement gaps, with per-student spending ranging from $11,022 at Amherst to $12,287 at Temperance. Finally, Temperance's success within a district that ranks in the 29th percentile statewide proves that individual schools can thrive despite broader district challenges, making school-level data essential for parents evaluating their options in this area.