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Very Good

#340 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 27% in state

Forest City High School

High School · Forest City Comm School District

206 W School St, Forest City, IA 50436

Enrollment

333

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#340 of 1,280

In Forest City

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Forest City Comm School District

Equity

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Forest City High School

7.6/10

High School in Forest City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Forest City Middle School

8.8/10

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

Forest City Elementary School

6.9/10

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

About Forest City High School

Forest City High School is a public high school in Forest City, IA, part of Forest City Comm School District. Forest City High School serves approximately 333 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #340 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Forest City High School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Forest City High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.71 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,578
Chronic Absenteeism20.4%

Forest City High School — Students at Forest City High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 78.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 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
87%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
66%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2025
Math
80.1%
ELA
80%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Forest City High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
74th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Sports
15
8 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics15sports offered
8 boys'·7 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

206 W School St, Forest City, IA 50436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Hancock High School (rated 8.9/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear Lake High School (rated 8.8/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School (rated 8.1/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest City Middle School Forest City 0.1 mi 8.8
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 0.2 mi 6.9
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 11.9 mi 9.0
Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills 11.9 mi 7.3
Lake Mills Senior High School Lake Mills 11.9 mi 7.5
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 14.5 mi
West Hancock High School Britt 14.5 mi 8.9
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 14.5 mi 8.5
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 16.6 mi 7.4
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 16.8 mi 7.3
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 16.6 mi 8.8
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 17.3 mi 7.9
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 17.3 mi 5.7
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center 17.3 mi 9.0
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha 23.7 mi 8.6
Next Step West (Alden) Alden 28.2 mi
First Step Alden Austin 28.4 mi

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
Audubon Middle-High School Audubon, IA 7.6
Central Lee High School Donnellson, IA 7.6
Ogden High School Ogden, IA 7.6
Boyden-Hull High School Hull, IA 7.5
Cascade Junior-Senior High School Cascade, IA 7.5
Lake Mills Senior High School Lake Mills, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest City High School

What grades does Forest City High School serve?

Forest City High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Forest City High School?

Forest City High School has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Forest City High School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest City High School rank in IA?

Forest City High School ranks #340 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Forest City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 City High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest City High School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Forest City High School a charter school?

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

Is Forest City High School a Title I school?

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

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

36.3% of students at Forest City High 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Winnebago County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.4%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

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