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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78%
Math vs. State Avg+10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.3 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,100

Forest City Middle School — Students at Forest City Middle School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.3%
School
State
73.1%
ELA Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
75.3%

Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
83%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
80.3%
ELA
84%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest City High School Forest City 0.1 mi 8.2
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 0.3 mi 8.3
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner 12.0 mi 7.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner 12.0 mi 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 12.4 mi 7.4
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills 11.9 mi 8.4
Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills 11.9 mi 5.8
Lake Mills Senior High School Lake Mills 11.9 mi 7.6
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 14.4 mi
West Hancock High School Britt 14.5 mi 8.3
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 14.6 mi 7.9
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 16.6 mi 6.7
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 16.8 mi 8.3
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 16.6 mi 7.3
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 17.3 mi 7.3
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 17.3 mi 5.9
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center 17.3 mi 7.7
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha 23.8 mi 7.4
Next Step West (Alden) Alden 28.1 mi
First Step Alden Austin 28.3 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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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