Very Good
#420 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 33% in state
Forest City Middle School
Middle School · Forest City Comm School District
216 W School St, Forest City, IA 50436
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#77 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
Forest City Comm School District
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest City Middle School
Forest City Middle School serves 319 students in grades 5-8 in the heart of rural Iowa. This well-regarded public school maintains a favorable 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. Academically, Forest City Middle School stands out as a high performer, earning a 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #97 out of 1,288 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.
The school demonstrates strong academic achievement with 78% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and an impressive 82% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence and effective teaching practices. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $67,773 and home values average $143,900.
With a low poverty rate of 7.3% and 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the community provides a supportive foundation for student success. Located on West School Street in Forest City's remote rural setting, the school serves as an educational cornerstone for families in Winnebago County, offering quality middle school education in Iowa's peaceful agricultural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Forest City Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Forest City Middle School — Students at Forest City Middle School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.9/10.
How Forest City Middle School Compares
See how Forest City Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 78% (2022).
Location
216 W School St, Forest City, IA 50436
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest City Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Iowa Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Buffalo Center), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Hancock Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 23.8 miles away, in nearby Kanawha), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.3 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Ballard Middle School Huxley, IA | 7.0 |
| Central Springs Middle School Nora Springs, IA | 7.0 |
| Sioux Center Middle School Sioux Center, IA | 7.0 |
| Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell, IA | 6.9 |
| Humboldt Middle School Humboldt, IA | 6.9 |
| Mediapolis Middle School Mediapolis, IA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest City Middle School
What grades does Forest City Middle School serve?
Forest City Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Forest City Middle School?
Forest City Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest City Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest City Middle School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest City Middle School rank in IA?
Forest City Middle School is ranked #420 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Forest City Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest City Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest City Middle School has 79.3% math proficiency and 83.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest City Middle School a charter school?
No, Forest City Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest City Middle School a Title I school?
No, Forest City Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest City Middle School?
41.4% of students at Forest City Middle 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 319
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Winnebago County
- Phone
- (641) 585-4772
- 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
- #3 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.