Average
#2915 of 3,813 schools in IL
Forest Elem School
Elementary School · CCSD 62
1375 S 5th Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Enrollment
657
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
657
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Plaines
#14 of 17
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,728 of 2,326
In district
#8 of 11
CCSD 62
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest Elem School
Forest Elementary School serves 657 students in grades PK through 5 in Des Plaines, Illinois, providing a solid educational foundation with a favorable 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 55 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a strong 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 84th percentile statewide, placing it at #596 among Illinois's 3,819 elementary schools. Academically, Forest Elementary demonstrates steady performance with an overall academic score of 7.4 out of 10.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 37% of students across all grade levels achieve proficiency or above, indicating the school is working to strengthen literacy skills among its diverse student body. The school operates within Des Plaines' 60018 ZIP code, a community of 28,820 residents where the median household income reaches $75,528 and median home values average $287,800. With 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 11% poverty rate, the neighborhood reflects a working-class community with educational aspirations for their children.
Located in this small city setting, Forest Elementary School serves families seeking a well-staffed public education option in a stable, middle-income community within Cook County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Forest Elem School — Students at Forest Elem School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.0/10.
How Forest Elem School Compares
See how Forest Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
1375 S 5th Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brentwood Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PLATO ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Plaines, see our Des Plaines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Algonquin Middle School Des Plaines | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Maine West High School Des Plaines | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Plainfield Elem School Des Plaines | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| WILLOWS ACADEMY Des Plaines | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Terrace Elem School Des Plaines | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Devonshire School Des Plaines | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| PLATO ACADEMY Des Plaines | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| South Elem School Des Plaines | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Central Elem School Des Plaines | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Cumberland Elem School Des Plaines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Chippewa Middle School Des Plaines | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Brentwood Elem School Des Plaines | 1.7 mi | 8.7 |
| SCIENCE & ARTS ACADEMY Des Plaines | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| North Elementary School Des Plaines | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Friendship Jr High School Des Plaines | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Iroquois Community School Des Plaines | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Orchard Place Elem School Des Plaines | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| SCIENCE ACADEMY OF CHICAGO Mount Prospect | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Lions Park Elem School Mt. Prospect | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| MARYVILLE JEN SCHOOL Des Plaines | 2.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,415
Median Home Value
$302,400
Median Rent
$1,174/mo
Population
29,302
College Educated
26.4%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
24.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest Elem School has a median household income of $85,415. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $302,400, with a median rent of $1,174/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Abe Lincoln Elem School Cicero, IL | 5.2 |
| Acero Chtr - Officer Marquez Elem Chicago, IL | 5.2 |
| Canty Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.2 |
| Drexel Elem School Cicero, IL | 5.2 |
| Elmwood Elem School Naperville, IL | 5.2 |
| George T Wilkins Elem School Justice, IL | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Elem School
What grades does Forest Elem School serve?
Forest Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forest Elem School?
Forest Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 657 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Elem School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Elem School rank in IL?
Forest Elem School is ranked #2915 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Forest Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Elem School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Elem School has 34.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Elem School a charter school?
No, Forest Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Elem School a Title I school?
No, Forest Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Elem School?
44.0% of students at Forest Elem 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,264/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Plaines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 657
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (847) 824-1380
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CCSD 62- District Enrollment
- 4,480
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,359
- District Rank
- #8 of 11
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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