Excellent
#72 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 6% 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
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa high schools
#5 of 334
In district
#2 of 3
Forest City Comm School District
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest City High School
Forest City High School is a public high school in Forest City, IA, part of the Forest City Comm School District. The school serves approximately 333 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 94.5th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 75% proficiency in math, 7 points above the state average and 77% in reading/language arts, 3 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). 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 High 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 High School — Students at Forest City High School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 9.2/10.
How Forest City High School Compares
See how Forest City High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 79% (2022).
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 8.3/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Britt), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lake Mills Senior High School (rated 7.6/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Lake Mills), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School (rated 7.4/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Garner), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.4 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction, IA | 8.1 |
| Wayne Community Jr-Sr High School Corydon, IA | 8.1 |
| East Mills Jr/Sr High School Hastings, IA | 8.0 |
| North Butler Jr/Sr High School Greene, IA | 8.0 |
| Treynor High School Treynor, IA | 8.0 |
| Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua, IA | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #72 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Forest City High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest City High School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest City High School has 74.7% math proficiency and 76.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Phone
- (641) 585-2324
- 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
- #2 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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