Willow Ridge Elementary School in Amherst, NY

At a glance

Reported students

427

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

35.5

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

12:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

PK–05

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

New York elementary enrollment

52nd percentile

Compared with 2,546 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

470

Willow Ridge Elementary School: 427 reported students.

State peer staffing position

57th percentile

12:1 reported; state peer median 11.7:1. Ratio is not class size.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students: 369
Teachers (FTE): 35
Student–teacher ratio: 10.5:1

What the reported data says about Willow Ridge Elementary School

Willow Ridge Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Amherst. It is one of 6 current school records connected to Sweet Home Central School District. NCES reports 427 students for 2024–25.

Among 2,546 elementary schools in New York with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 416 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 52nd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 12:1, close to the New York median of 11.7:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.

The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (48.7%) and Black (20.6%). English learners represent 6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 7.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.

Questions worth asking Willow Ridge Elementary School

1How do the reported 12:1 student–teacher ratio and 35.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?

Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners: 6%
Students with disabilities: 7.6%
Free/reduced-price lunch: 31.1%
Lunch program: Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE): 1
Nurses (FTE): 1
Psychologists (FTE): 0
Social workers (FTE): 0

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

White48.7%
Hispanic9.8%
Black20.6%
Asian11.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
Multiracial8.9%

Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

Gifted and talented

Not reported as offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Glendale Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–05

443 reported students

Heritage Heights Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–05

452 reported students

Maplemere Elementary School

Elementary · Grades KG–05

488 reported students

Sweet Home Middle School

Middle · Grades 06–08

858 reported students

Sweet Home Senior High School

High · Grades 09–12

1,105 reported students

View all 6 district schools →

Public schools near Willow Ridge Elementary School

Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.

School	Grades	Students	Distance
Glendale Elementary School Elementary · Sweet Home Central School District	PK–05	443	1 mi
Heritage Heights Elementary School Elementary · Sweet Home Central School District	PK–05	452	1.1 mi
Heim Elementary School Elementary · Williamsville Central School District	KG–04	661	2.3 mi
Maplemere Elementary School Elementary · Sweet Home Central School District	KG–05	488	2.4 mi
Thomas a Edison Elementary School Elementary · Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District	KG–04	609	2.6 mi
Spruce School Elementary · North Tonawanda City School District	PK–03	336	2.7 mi

Compare all 9 public schools in Amherst, NY →

Frequently asked questions about Willow Ridge Elementary School

What grades does Willow Ridge Elementary School serve?

Willow Ridge Elementary School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Sweet Home Central School District.

How many students attend Willow Ridge Elementary School?

Willow Ridge Elementary School reported 427 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 52nd percentile among 2,546 New York elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 369 students.

What is the student–teacher ratio at Willow Ridge Elementary School?

The calculated ratio is 12:1, based on 427 students and 35.5 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The New York median for the same school level is 11.7:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.

Is Willow Ridge Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?

Willow Ridge Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Sweet Home Central School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.

What share of Willow Ridge Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?

31.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.

Which school district is Willow Ridge Elementary School in?

Willow Ridge Elementary School is part of Sweet Home Central School District, based in Amherst, NY, which operates 6 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.

What public schools are near Willow Ridge Elementary School?

The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Glendale Elementary School (1 mi), Heritage Heights Elementary School (1.1 mi), Heim Elementary School (2.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.