Public School
Amherst Regional High School
- A+Overall Grade
- Public
- 9-12
- Amherst, MA
- 162 reviews
- AcademicsA
- DiversityA
- TeachersA
- College PrepA+
- Clubs & ActivitiesB
- Health & SafetyA
- AdministrationB+
- SportsB-
- FoodB
- Resources & FacilitiesB+
Amherst Regional High School Rankings
Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.
Academics
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- Cost of LivingC-
- Good for FamiliesA
- HousingC-
Median Household Income
$43,319
National
$55,322Median Rent
$1,318
National
$949Median Home Value
$346,000
National
$184,700Culture & Safety
Health & Safety
A
Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
Poll
- 86%
- of students agree that they feel safe at their school.14 responses
Poll
- 71%
- of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.14 responses
Students
Diversity
A
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
924
Free or Reduced Lunch
24%
- 94%
- of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.16 responses
- 88%
- of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.16 responses
- 81%
- of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.16 responses
Teachers
- 86%
- of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.21 responses
- 90%
- of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.21 responses
- 81%
- of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.21 responses
Clubs & Activities
Clubs & Activities
B
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Low
Expenses Per Student
$25,082/ year
National
$12,239- 75%
- of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.24 responses
- 50%
- of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.24 responses
- 79%
- of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.24 responses
Amherst Regional High School Reviews
162 reviews
All Categories
So far my experience at the Amherst Regional High School has been okay. In my experience, they don't focus enough on college readiness, especially for underclassmen. There is a lack of AP classes, specifically for history and English. There also aren't very many academic electives such as psychology. Most of the teachers I've had have been dedicated and good at their job. In terms of technology, most of the students have personal Chromebooks but the technology program is very underdeveloped and has some major problems. The math curriculum has gone through a lot of changes and the current system they're using emphasizes students learning for themselves, without much teacher instruction. The clubs are very disorganized and there isn't much support for students wanting to go beyond the basic offerings for classes and extracurriculars. There's no SAT prep or information. The website is pretty outdated and there isn't really any school spirit.
At ARHS, students are taught how to think critically instead of just memorizing facts. There aren’t as many traditional assessments and students are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge in a creative way that makes sense for them as an individual. There is a strong sense of community and acceptance, and diversity is celebrated. There are opportunities in all fields, including music, visual arts, dance, academics, sports, and clubs. With a wide range of electives, you are able to fully explore your interests. Students are also encouraged to speak up if they find something unjust. I have found that ARHS tries to prepare students for higher education (university, vocational school, etc) as well as for functioning as a thinking and productive individual in society.
I believe the Amherst Regional High School experience is overall beneficial for the real world ahead. Although many of us describe our town as "a bubble," the liberal outlook on life provides a key humanist mindset that allows most of us to lead consciously good lives. The education is superb, with challenging courses and supportive teachers. Our sheltered upbringing blinds us to some extent, but with the right communities members, we can be ready for whatever is in the world. The school environment is kind, and although there were some moments I wish I hadn't encountered, I wouldn't ask for another education.