Average
#4414 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 46% in state
Forest Charter
School · Nevada County Office of Education
470 Searls Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Enrollment
806
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
806
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#4,414 of 9,539
In Nevada City
#5 of 8
public schools
In district
#3 of 4
Nevada County Office of Education
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Forest Charter?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Forest Charter
School in Nevada City · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nevada County Special Education
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Deer Creek Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Forest Charter
Forest Charter is a public school in Nevada City, CA, part of Nevada County Office of Education. Forest Charter serves approximately 806 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #4,414 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Forest Charter show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- CA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Forest Charter runs 21.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Forest Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Forest Charter — Students at Forest Charter score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
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 40 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Forest Charter Compares
See how Forest Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
470 Searls Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Charter may also want to explore other schools in the area. William & Marian Ghidotti High (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bell Hill Academy (rated 8.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Grass Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Hill Middle (rated 8.2/10, 3.6 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 | 4.9 |
| Deer Creek Elementary Nevada City | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Earle Jamieson Educational Options Nevada City | 0.6 mi | — |
| Twin Ridges Home Study Charter Nevada City | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning Nevada City | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Bitney Prep High Grass Valley | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
| North Point Academy Grass Valley | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Union Hill Middle Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley | 3.7 mi | — |
| Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NEW ROADS SCHOOL Santa Monica, CA | 6.6 |
| SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL San Anselmo, CA | 6.6 |
| Independent Study Sojourner Truth Oakland, CA | 6.5 |
| UCLA Community K-12 Los Angeles, CA | 6.5 |
| UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 6.5 |
| VIEWPOINT SCHOOL Calabasas, CA | 6.5 |
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 ranks #4,414 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Forest Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Forest Charter?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest Charter has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.2%
- Phone
- (530) 265-4823
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Nevada County Office of Education- District Enrollment
- 1,188
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $29,345
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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