Amherst Central High School

My daughter graduated in 2010 and my son will graduate this year, 2012. Criticisms listed in these reviews about immense peer pressure for drinking, sex and drugs as well as parental tolerance for these things. Ultimately what your children do comes down to how YOU raise them to withstand this pressure. We chose this district for its diversity of culture as well as economics. My daughter has excelled in college and my son is a National Merit semifinalist. They were able to try different sports and have a wonderful music education not afforded elsewhere. WE have been blessed with a great education here.
--Submitted by a parent

Because for the first time in my life I was given the honor to have both my boys,9 and 12 graders, attend the same school,while the youngest has a special need. I feel BLESSED, that was our central reasoning for moving bac. to New York. Thank You. God bless. YM
--Submitted by a parent

The focus on curriculum programs that all result in our kids graduating already steps ahead in their chosen interests!
--Submitted by a parent

The Amherst Central School District provides a superb education. My husband and I educated all four of our sons within the district. They were offered advanced placement courses and were well prepared for a rigorous college curriculum. Our children went on to have careers in the following areas: banking, chemical patent law, journalism and mechanical engineering. We would give the school district a five star rating and recommend it highly to any family with college bound students in their family.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. They have awesome teachers and a great cirriculum. They're test scores are always high and they have a lot of control of students and the activities. It's a great place to send your kids!
--Submitted by a former student

School is very accessable and my child, who is currently in 12th grade loves the atmosphere.
--Submitted by susan carrigan, a parent

As a student at Amherst Central, I can say that it offers many opportunities to students, from academic courses to extracurricular activities. Anyone can be sure to get the best education from the well-qualified teachers who strive to provide a friendly, teaching atmosphere. The honors and AP classes allow students to challenge themselves while receiving a valuable learning experience. Students are also highly encouraged to join outside activities, be it sports or drama. I am sincerely proud to say that I will have graduated from this high school.
--Submitted by a student

When I attended Amherst it was a great school. Diverse student population consisting of people from all social classes, ethnicity's, and income levels. Every graduating class had multiple students receiving prestigious scholarships/awards. Extracurricular activities are abound so thre should be something for every student there be it art, theater, sports or even chess club. Amherst boasts one of the best lacrosse programs in New York State and has the best football program out of the Amherst/Williamsville schools. The best part of Amherst it the teaching staff however. When I attended Amherst I had several teachers every year that really brough material to life and inspired me to actually learn. Amherst is a great school and there is a reason it has been ranked in the top high schools in the country several years running.
--Submitted by a former student

As a student of Amherst Central High School, I strongly agree that this school is a very decent school. I enjoy the atmosphere that the students and teachers give off. It's a very good learning atmosphere as well as an athletic atmosphere too. Our school is well known for its athletes. Many of them have gone on to college after having gotten a full scholarship due to academics to play for their choosen sport. Teachers are friendly, the rest of the staff is friendly, and the students are all friendly. It seems like a big family. After having left Amherst a few times, I always came back here. Its a school that i didn't want to leave because I knew what I could achieve here.
--Submitted by a former student

As a parent of 3 children who have attended Amherst, I think previous reviews, positive and negative, are accurate. As the student wrote, there is enormous peer pressure around sex and alcohol, and significant pressure around drugs. While the school has a role to play, the community is tolerant of these issues overall. This makes it difficult if the student or family principles vary. Academic excellence is highly valued and the pressure of the curriculum enhancement is difficult even for above average students. There is a wide variety of extracurriculars and opportunity for academic extras (Model UN, etc). Overall the staff is caring but under the same stressors the students have to manage. Some teachers are great some are absolutely awful. In summary, the focus is more on the student's product than on the student. All 3 of our kids have been disliked Amherst.
--Submitted by a parent