Best Schools in Forest City, North Carolina
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $41,746
- Median home value
- $176,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
63% 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
North Carolina rank
#23 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above North Carolina avg (6.4)
Median household income
$42k
62% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Forest City, North Carolina
Forest City, North Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 8 public schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Forest City perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Forest City is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Forest City is served by 1 school district: Rutherford County Schools. These districts collectively serve 7,409 students.
Forest City's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $41,746. The poverty rate in the area is 23.8%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 487 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 440 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 406 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 4 | 244 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 481 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 625 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 98 students · 6th–12th | 5.5 |
| 3 | 640 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 |
Schools in Forest City
Forest City, North Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$41,746
Median Home Value
$176,100
Median Rent
$744/mo
Population
20,896
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
23.8%
Community Profile
Forest City has a median household income of $41,746. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- North Carolina
- Total Schools
- 8
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 7.2/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Forest City, North Carolina
How many schools are in Forest City, North Carolina?
Forest City has 8 schools, including 8 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Forest City, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Forest City is 7.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Forest City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Forest City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Forest City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Chase Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Forest City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Forest City on MySchoolScout is Chase High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Forest City, North Carolina?
Forest City is served by 1 school district: Rutherford County Schools.
What is the education level in Forest City, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Forest City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Forest City, North Carolina?
The median household income in Forest City is approximately $41,746 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Forest City, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Forest City is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Forest City, North Carolina?
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.