Best Schools in Forest City, Iowa
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Forest City?
Use this page to compare every school in Forest 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.
Forest City Middle School
Middle · Forest City Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Forest City High School
High · Forest City Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Forest City Elementary School
Elementary · Forest City Comm 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 Forest City for 2026 are Forest City Middle School (8.8/10), Forest City High School (7.6/10), and Forest City Elementary School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$164,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$164,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Forest City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest City Middle School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Forest City High School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Forest City Elementary School | 6.9 / 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
- 7.8/10
- Median household income
- $68,600
- Median home value
- $164,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 14 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Forest City compares
Iowa rank
#19 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.5
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$69k
90% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Forest City, Iowa
Forest City, Iowa is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.8 out of 10, schools in Forest City perform strongly 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 Forest City is Forest City Middle School with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Forest City is served by 1 school district: Forest City Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,114 students.
Forest City's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $68,600. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 462 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 319 students · 5th–8th | 8.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 333 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
Schools in Forest City
Forest City, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$68,600
Median Home Value
$164,300
Median Rent
$761/mo
Population
5,760
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
14 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Forest City has a median household income of $68,600. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,300, with a median rent of $761/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
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 Forest City, Iowa
How many schools are in Forest City, Iowa?
Forest City has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Forest City, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Forest City is 7.8 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 Forest City, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Forest City Middle School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Forest City, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Forest City Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Forest City, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Forest City Middle School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best high school in Forest City, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Forest City High School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Forest City, Iowa?
Forest City is served by 1 school district: Forest City Comm School District.
What is the education level in Forest City, Iowa?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Forest City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Forest City, Iowa?
The median household income in Forest City is approximately $68,600 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Forest City, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Forest City is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Forest City, Iowa?
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, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.