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Average

#527 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 41% in state

Forest City Elementary School

Elementary School · Forest City Comm School District

1405 W I St, Forest City, IA 50436

Enrollment

462

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#527 of 1,280

In Forest City

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Forest City Comm School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Forest City Elementary School

6.9/10

Elementary School in Forest City · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Forest City High School

7.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Forest City Middle School

8.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Forest City Elementary School

Forest City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Forest City, IA, part of Forest City Comm School District. Forest City Elementary School serves approximately 462 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #527 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Forest City Elementary School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above IA schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Forest City Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency85% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,578
Chronic Absenteeism17.1%

Forest City Elementary School — Students at Forest City Elementary School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
90%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
83%
ELA
86%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
81%
ELA
86%
2017
Math
74%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
88.3%
ELA
85%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.9/10.

How Forest City Elementary School Compares

See how Forest City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
59th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1405 W I St, Forest City, IA 50436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lake Mills Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Lake Mills), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Hancock Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest City High School Forest City 0.2 mi 7.6
Forest City Middle School Forest City 0.3 mi 8.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner 11.9 mi 8.2
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner 11.9 mi 8.2
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 12.3 mi 8.1
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills 12.1 mi 9.0
Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills 12.1 mi 7.3
Lake Mills Senior High School Lake Mills 12.1 mi 7.5
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 14.5 mi
West Hancock High School Britt 14.3 mi 8.9
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 14.3 mi 8.5
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 16.8 mi 7.4
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 17.0 mi 7.3
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 16.8 mi 8.8
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 17.1 mi 7.9
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 17.1 mi 5.7
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center 17.1 mi 9.0
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha 23.6 mi 8.6
Next Step West (Alden) Alden 28.3 mi
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond 28.6 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,600

Median Home Value

$164,300

Median Rent

$761/mo

Population

5,760

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

13.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

35.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass, IA 6.9
Emerson Elementary School Indianola, IA 6.9
Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 6.9
Garfield Elementary School Clarinda, IA 6.9
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo, IA 6.9
James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty, IA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest City Elementary School

What grades does Forest City Elementary School serve?

Forest City Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Forest City Elementary School?

Forest City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest City Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest City Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest City Elementary School rank in IA?

Forest City Elementary School ranks #527 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Forest City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 City Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest City Elementary School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Forest City Elementary School a charter school?

No, Forest City Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Forest City Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Forest City Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest City Elementary School?

39.6% of students at Forest City Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Winnebago County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.1%

District

Forest City Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,114
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,578
District Rank
#3 of 3

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