Below Average
#8269 of 9,533 schools in CA
Forest Charter
School · Nevada County Office of Education
470 Searls Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Enrollment
806
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
806
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nevada City
#7 of 8
public schools
California schools
#391 of 475
In district
#4 of 4
Nevada County Office of Education
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest Charter
Forest Charter is a public charter school serving kindergarten through 12th grade in Nevada City, a small town in Nevada County. With 806 students and 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1, offering a range of grade levels under one roof. Academically, Forest Charter is currently focused on student development with room for growth.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 reflects performance challenges, with the school ranking in the 41st percentile statewide. In reading and language arts, 42% of students test at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics proficiency stands at 27% across grade levels. These metrics suggest the school is working to strengthen its instructional programs and student outcomes.
As a charter school, Forest Charter offers an alternative to traditional public education within Nevada County's educational landscape. The school's location in Nevada City provides a community setting for families seeking K-12 education in the area. Parents considering Forest Charter may want to discuss specific academic supports and programs with school leadership to understand how the school is addressing achievement gaps and supporting student growth across grade levels.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Charter is 21.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Forest Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Forest Charter — Students at Forest Charter score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Forest Charter Compares
See how Forest Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 26.86% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 41.97% (2024).
Location
470 Searls Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. Bitney Prep High (rated 8.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bell Hill Academy (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, William & Marian Ghidotti High (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nevada City, see our Nevada City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada County Special Education Nevada City | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Deer Creek Elementary Nevada City | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Earle Jamieson Educational Options Nevada City | 0.6 mi | — |
| Twin Ridges Home Study Charter Nevada City | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning Nevada City | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Bitney Prep High Grass Valley | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City | 1.8 mi | — |
| ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Nevada Union High Grass Valley | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| North Point Academy Grass Valley | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Union Hill Middle Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley | 3.7 mi | — |
| Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95959 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,509
Median Home Value
$603,200
Median Rent
$1,715/mo
Population
18,017
College Educated
45.4%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
54.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest Charter has a median household income of $79,509. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $603,200, with a median rent of $1,715/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Compass Charter School of Yolo Thousand Oaks, CA | 4.6 |
| Da Vinci Connect El Segundo, CA | 4.6 |
| FRESNO CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Fresno, CA | 4.6 |
| Golden Valley Charter Ventura, CA | 4.6 |
| REDDING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Palo Cedro, CA | 4.6 |
| Academy of Innovation Norco, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Charter
What grades does Forest Charter serve?
Forest Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Forest Charter?
Forest Charter has an enrollment of approximately 806 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Charter is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Charter rank in CA?
Forest Charter is ranked #8269 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Forest Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Charter has a composite rating of 4.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Forest Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Charter has 27.5% math proficiency and 42.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Charter a charter school?
Yes, Forest Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Forest Charter a Title I school?
No, Forest Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Charter?
41.6% of students at Forest Charter qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,046/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nevada City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 806
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Nevada County
- Phone
- (530) 265-4823
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nevada County Office of Education- District Enrollment
- 1,188
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,345
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.