Best Schools in Forrest City, Arkansas
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Forrest City?
Use this page to compare every school in Forrest City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Central Elementary School
Elementary · Forrest City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Forrest City High School
High · Forrest City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Academy
Middle · Forrest City School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Forrest City for 2026 are Central Elementary School (8.3/10), Forrest City High School (6.8/10), and Lincoln Academy (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$92,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$92,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Forrest City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Forrest City High School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincoln Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Forrest City Jr. High | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Calvary Christian School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Stewart Elementary School | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $39,045
- Median home value
- $92,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 48%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Forrest City compares
Arkansas rank
#67 of 123
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Arkansas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$39k
71% of Arkansas median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Forrest City, Arkansas
Forrest City, Arkansas is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Forrest City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Forrest City is Central Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Forrest City is served by 1 school district: FORREST CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 2,128 students.
Forrest City's community shows 14% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $39,045. The poverty rate in the area is 31.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 709 students · Pre-K–2nd | 8.3 |
| 2 | 418 students · 3rd–5th | 4.3 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 155 students · 6th–6th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 278 students · 7th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 568 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvary Christian School
Private
45 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.7 |
Schools in Forrest City
Forrest City, Arkansas · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$39,045
Median Home Value
$92,700
Median Rent
$814/mo
Population
16,514
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
31.3%
Community Profile
Forrest City has a median household income of $39,045. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,700, with a median rent of $814/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arkansas
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Arkansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Forrest City, Arkansas
How many schools are in Forrest City, Arkansas?
Forrest City has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Forrest City is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The top-ranked school in Forrest City on MySchoolScout is Central Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Forrest City on MySchoolScout is Central Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The top-ranked middle school in Forrest City on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Academy with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The top-ranked high school in Forrest City on MySchoolScout is Forrest City High School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Forrest City, Arkansas?
Forrest City is served by 1 school district: Forrest City School District.
What is the education level in Forrest City, Arkansas?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in Forrest City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The median household income in Forrest City is approximately $39,045 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Forrest City, Arkansas?
Yes, Forrest City has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Calvary Christian School with a score of 5.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Forrest City, Arkansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Forrest City is 16.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Forrest City, Arkansas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arkansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.