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Amherst School District

GreatSchools Rating: 7 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

170 Chestnut Street
Amherst, MA 01002
Hampshire County
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PH: (413) 362-1805
FAX: (413) 549-9811

  • Grades PK-6
  • 1399 students
  • 4 schools

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 MCAS Results

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 66% (2009)
 61% (2008)
 66% (2007)
 60% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 57% in 2009.

Math
 62% (2009)
 61% (2008)
 62% (2007)
 49% (2006)
The state average for Math was 60% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 56% (2009)
 49% (2008)
 59% (2007)
 51% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2009.

Math
 55% (2009)
 59% (2008)
 52% (2007)
 55% (2006)
The state average for Math was 48% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5

Science
 61% (2009)
 56% (2008)
 70% (2007)
 62% (2006)
The state average for Science was 49% in 2009.

English Language Arts
 73% (2009)
 70% (2008)
 79% (2007)
 74% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 63% in 2009.

Math
 64% (2009)
 63% (2008)
 70% (2007)
 59% (2006)
The state average for Math was 54% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 78% (2009)
 84% (2008)
 79% (2007)
 78% (2006)
The state average for English Language Arts was 66% in 2009.

Math
 70% (2009)
 77% (2008)
 69% (2007)
 58% (2006)
The state average for Math was 57% in 2009.

Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

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 MCAS Results by Subgroup

Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 3
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students66%
Female76%
Male58%
African American38%
Asian62%
Hispanic44%
White79%
Economically disadvantaged41%
Not economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilities24%
Limited English proficient24%

MathThis District
All Students62%
Female64%
Male59%
African American6%
Asian61%
Hispanic44%
White77%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilities29%
Limited English proficient35%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 4
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students56%
Female65%
Male48%
African American33%
Asian48%
Hispanic22%
White72%
Economically disadvantaged24%
Not economically disadvantaged72%
Students with disabilities18%
Limited English proficient14%

MathThis District
All Students55%
Female56%
Male54%
African American28%
Asian68%
Hispanic15%
White64%
Economically disadvantaged22%
Not economically disadvantaged71%
Students with disabilities18%
Limited English proficient29%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 5
ScienceThis District
All Students61%
Female50%
Male70%
African American23%
Asian62%
Hispanic48%
White69%
Economically disadvantaged25%
Not economically disadvantaged72%
Students with disabilities16%
Limited English proficient24%

English Language ArtsThis District
All Students73%
Female72%
Male75%
African American46%
Asian86%
Hispanic52%
White78%
Economically disadvantaged44%
Not economically disadvantaged84%
Students with disabilities26%
Limited English proficient53%

MathThis District
All Students64%
Female61%
Male68%
African American31%
Asian81%
Hispanic44%
White69%
Economically disadvantaged29%
Not economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilities16%
Limited English proficient47%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

Grade 6
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students78%
Female86%
Male71%
African American63%
Asian77%
Hispanic51%
White92%
Economically disadvantaged52%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Students with disabilities47%
Limited English proficient36%

MathThis District
All Students70%
Female69%
Male69%
African American48%
Asian72%
Hispanic49%
White81%
Economically disadvantaged45%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities34%
Limited English proficient28%
Source: MA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009

About the tests

  • In 2008-2009 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5 and 8 in science.
  • The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement.
  • The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts.
  • The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

Testing in Massachusetts: An Overview

See Massachusetts' state standards

Compare all elementary, middle, or high schools in this district

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 Teachers

 
Student-Teacher Ratio
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students per FTE teacher1014
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
White, not Hispanic52%71%
Hispanic17%14%
Asian/Pacific Islander13%5%
Black, not Hispanic8%8%
American Indian/Alaskan Native<1%<1%
Unspecified9%n/a
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Economic Level
Information about this data
Source: NCES, 2007-2008
 This DistrictState Average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program29%29%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$16,488$13,413
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional65%64%
Student and staff support14%13%
Administration9%8%
Other expenditures12%16%
Source: NCES, 2006-2007
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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Tips and Advice by Grade Level
Tips and Advice for Your Kindergartener Tips and Advice for Your First-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Second-Grader
Tips and Advice for Your Third-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fourth-Grader Tips and Advice for Your Fifth-Grader
 
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