Excellent
#63 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 5% 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
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#55 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Forest City Comm School District
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest City Elementary School
Forest City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Forest City, IA, part of the Forest City Comm School District. The school serves approximately 462 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 95.2th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 76% proficiency in math, 0 points below the state average and 79% in reading/language arts, 6 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $68,600, where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Forest City Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Forest City Elementary School — Students at Forest City Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.3/10.
How Forest City Elementary School Compares
See how Forest City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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 8.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Lake Mills), with a very similar rating. Another option is Clear Creek Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Hancock Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Britt), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.6 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest City Elementary School has a median household income of $68,600. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,300, with a median rent of $761/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Anson Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 8.3 |
| Central Lyon Elementary School Rock Rapids, IA | 8.3 |
| Edwards Elementary School Ames, IA | 8.3 |
| Nixon Elementary School Hiawatha, IA | 8.3 |
| Crestwood Elementary School Cresco, IA | 8.4 |
| East Elementary School Sheldon, IA | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #63 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Forest City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest City Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 City Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest City Elementary School has 75.7% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Phone
- (641) 585-2670
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Forest City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,114
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,578
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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