Best Schools in Forest, Mississippi
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Forest?
Use this page to compare every school in Forest 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 Elementary School
Elementary · Forest Municipal School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hawkins Middle School
Middle · Forest Municipal School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Scott Central Attendance Center
Other · Scott Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Forest for 2026 are Forest Elementary School (6.6/10), Hawkins Middle School (4.4/10), and Scott Central Attendance Center (4.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$114,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
4.9
out of 10
Median Home
$114,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +15.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Forest schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Forest
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Elementary School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Hawkins Middle School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Scott Central Attendance Center | 4.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Forest High School | 4.2 / 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
- 4.9/10
- Median household income
- $46,890
- Median home value
- $114,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Forest compares
Mississippi rank
#108 of 120
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.4
below Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$47k
90% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Forest, Mississippi
Forest, Mississippi is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 4.9 out of 10, schools in Forest 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 Forest is Forest Elementary School with a composite score of 6.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Forest is served by 2 school districts: FOREST MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST, SCOTT CO SCHOOL DIST. These districts collectively serve 5,645 students.
Forest's community shows 14% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $46,890. The poverty rate in the area is 22.1%.
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 | 726 students · Kindergarten–4th | 6.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 451 students · 5th–8th | 4.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 453 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 871 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.4 |
Schools in Forest
Forest, Mississippi · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$46,890
Median Home Value
$114,700
Median Rent
$795/mo
Population
14,423
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
22.1%
Community Profile
Forest has a median household income of $46,890. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,700, with a median rent of $795/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Mississippi
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, Mississippi
How many schools are in Forest, Mississippi?
Forest has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Forest, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Forest is 4.9 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, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Forest Elementary School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Forest, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Forest Elementary School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Forest, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Hawkins Middle School with a composite score of 4.4/10.
What is the best high school in Forest, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Forest High School with a composite score of 4.2/10.
How many school districts serve Forest, Mississippi?
Forest is served by 2 school districts: Forest Municipal School Dist, Scott Co School Dist.
What is the education level in Forest, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in Forest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Forest, Mississippi?
The median household income in Forest is approximately $46,890 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Forest, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Forest is 14.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Forest, Mississippi?
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, Mississippi Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.