Best Schools in Forest, Virginia
6 schools · 3 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.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Bedford County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
New London Academy Elementary
Elementary · Bedford County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Forest Elementary
Elementary · Bedford County Public Schools. 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 Thomas Jefferson Elementary (8.4/10), New London Academy Elementary (8.0/10), and Forest Elementary (7.4/10), 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
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$345,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$345,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Forest
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 | Thomas Jefferson Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | New London Academy Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Forest Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Forest Middle | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Jefferson Forest High | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Timberlake Christian Schools | 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $91,119
- Median home value
- $345,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 82%
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 compares
Virginia rank
#56 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$91k
104% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Forest, Virginia
Forest, Virginia is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Forest 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 is Thomas Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Forest is served by 1 school district: Bedford County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 9,059 students.
Forest's community shows 47% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $91,119. The poverty rate in the area is 6.7%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 540 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 327 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 362 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 890 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,311 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timberlake Christian Schools
Private
397 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.2 |
Schools in Forest
Forest, Virginia · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$91,119
Median Home Value
$345,600
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Population
27,606
College Educated
47%
Homeownership
82%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Community Profile
Forest has a median household income of $91,119. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,600, with a median rent of $1,087/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
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, Virginia
How many schools are in Forest, Virginia?
Forest has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Forest, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Forest is 7.0 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, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Thomas Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Forest, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Thomas Jefferson Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Forest, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Forest Middle with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Forest, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Forest on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Forest High with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Forest, Virginia?
Forest is served by 1 school district: Bedford County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Forest, Virginia?
According to Census data, 47% of adults in Forest have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Forest, Virginia?
The median household income in Forest is approximately $91,119 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Forest, Virginia?
Yes, Forest has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Timberlake Christian Schools with a score of 4.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Forest, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Forest is 21.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Forest, Virginia?
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, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.