- Enrollment
- 1,240
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Amherst, VA
Central Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Central Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 62/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 510021000068
👥 S:T ratio 66
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 46
📋 Attendance 67
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elementary earns 62/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 98% of Virginia schools.
- #2 of 3
- schools in Amherst · Resource Index
- 62
- Resource Index · Higher
- 8.6:1
- small classes for Virginia
- 78.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Elementary has class sizes smaller than 98% of Virginia schools. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary ranks #2 of 3 schools in Amherst, VA.
School address
District: Amherst County Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510021000068 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+5 students YoY
Central Elementary held near 323 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+5 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 31.0 → 27.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+5 students YoY 510021000068 · Amherst, VA Other · SMALL · TRAD
268 enr · 8.6:1 · 78.3% lunch · RII 62
Nearest enrollment peer: Amherst County High (1,240 students)
Central Elementary held near 323 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+5 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 31.0 → 27.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
Central Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Amherst County
Amherst County High
1,240 students
- Monelison Midd 469
Monelison Middle
469 students
- Madison Height 449
Madison Heights Elementary
449 students
- Amelon Element 415
Amelon Elementary
415 students
- Amherst Middle 371
Amherst Middle
371 students
- This school 268
Central Elementary
268 students
What this shows Central Elementary reports 268 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Elementary compares
Central Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 8.6:1 | ▼ 38% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 78.3% | ▲ 36% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 268 | top 88% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
8.6:1
Leaner classes than 94% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
268
Bigger than 28% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
78.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 36% above the Virginia average of 57.6%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
8.6:1
students per teacher
- 38% below state mean
Top 2% in Virginia - lower ratio than 98% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
13.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$14,301
per pupil, district-wide
- below Virginia avg of $15,892
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 268 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
22
in-school suspensions + 10 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 8.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 11.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 56.3%
African American 19.0%
Two or More 14.2%
Hispanic or Latino 6.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.6%
Asian 1.9%
Largest group: White at 56.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 62.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 62.2, Central Elementary is more mixed than the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Amherst County Public Schools reports $14,301 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst County High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Monelison Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Madison Heights Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Amelon Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Amherst Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 469
- Students per teacher
- 12:1
- Resource Index
- 54/100
- Enrollment
- 449
- Students per teacher
- 13.2:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 415
- Students per teacher
- 12.2:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 371
- Students per teacher
- 12:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
Similar other schools in Amherst
2 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~268 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elementary
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has 268 students enrolled. It is a public school in Amherst, VA. CCD year-over-year: 318 (2022-23) → 323 (2023-24), nearly flat (+5).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 8.6:1, which is 38% lower than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 45% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elementary?
78.3% of students at Central Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Central Elementary is White at 56.3% of enrollment, in Amherst, VA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 62.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 62/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Elementary rank among schools in Amherst?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary ranks #2 of 3 schools in Amherst, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Amherst on the city page.
What other schools are in Amherst County Public Schools?
Besides Central Elementary, Amherst County Public Schools also operates Amherst County High (1,240 students), Monelison Middle (469 students), and Madison Heights Elementary (449 students). See the Amherst County Public Schools district page for the complete list.