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Very Good

#1100 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 29% in state

Forreston Grade School

Elementary School · Forrestville Valley CUSD 221

601 E Main St, Forreston, IL 61030

Enrollment

252

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Forreston

#1 of 3

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#705 of 2,326

In district

#1 of 3

Forrestville Valley CUSD 221

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Forreston Grade School

Forreston Grade School serves 252 students in grades 1-5 in the rural community of Forreston, Illinois. This elementary school has earned recognition as a high-performing institution, ranking #366 out of 3,819 schools statewide and placing in the 90th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.3 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

The academic focus clearly pays dividends, as evidenced by the school's impressive 9.0 out of 10 academic score. In English Language Arts and reading assessments, 52% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across the grade levels. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $66,696 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 6.2%.

Local families have invested in the area, with median home values around $137,800, reflecting the community's commitment to providing a quality environment for children. Located at 601 E Main St, Forreston Grade School sits at the heart of this close-knit rural community in Ogle County, where approximately 2,292 residents value the small-town atmosphere and strong educational foundation the school provides.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Forreston Grade 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,364

Forreston Grade School — Students at Forreston Grade School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2022
ELA
52%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Forreston Grade School Compares

See how Forreston Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in IL
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

601 E Main St, Forreston, IL 61030

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forreston Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastland Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Shannon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oregon Elem Sch (rated 7.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Oregon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate (rated 7.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Forreston, see our Forreston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Forreston Jr/Sr High Sch Forreston 0.4 mi 4.8
Aplington Middle School Polo 9.5 mi 8.6
Polo Comm High School Polo 9.5 mi 5.1
German Valley Grade School Forreston 8.3 mi 3.9
Centennial Elem School Polo 9.7 mi 6.3
Eastland Elementary School Shannon 8.5 mi 8.3
Center Elem School Freeport 11.5 mi 6.1
Blackhawk Elem School Freeport 11.4 mi 6.3
Freeport Middle School Freeport 11.6 mi 6.8
Freeport High School Freeport 11.7 mi 5.8
Empire Elem School Freeport 11.8 mi 3.4
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport 12.1 mi 7.5
Jones-Farrar Intl Baccalaureate Freeport 12.2 mi 7.8
Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Freeport 12.9 mi 5.7
OPEN BIBLE LEARNING CENTER Freeport 13.0 mi 5.7
Chadwick-Milledgeville Elem Sch Milledgeville 14.7 mi 5.6
Chadwick-Milledgeville Jr HS Milledgeville 14.7 mi 8.0
Eastland Jr/Sr High School Lanark 13.0 mi 5.4
Oregon Elem Sch Oregon 14.2 mi 7.9
Oregon Jr/Sr High School Oregon 14.4 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,375

Median Home Value

$148,100

Median Rent

$669/mo

Population

1,911

College Educated

13.2%

Homeownership

82.8%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Forreston Grade School has a median household income of $69,375. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,100, with a median rent of $669/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Aldridge Elem School Chicago, IL 7.1
Armstrong-Oakview Elem School East Peoria, IL 7.1
Butler Elem School Springfield, IL 7.1
Evelyn Alexander School North Chicago, IL 7.1
Gale Elem Community Academy Chicago, IL 7.1
Hartford Elem School Hartford, IL 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forreston Grade School

What grades does Forreston Grade School serve?

Forreston Grade School serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Forreston Grade School?

Forreston Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 252 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forreston Grade School?

The student-teacher ratio at Forreston Grade 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 Forreston Grade School rank in IL?

Forreston Grade School is ranked #1100 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Forreston Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?

Forreston Grade School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Forreston Grade School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forreston Grade School has 24.5% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Forreston Grade School a charter school?

No, Forreston Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Forreston Grade School a Title I school?

No, Forreston Grade School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forreston Grade School?

52.4% of students at Forreston Grade 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
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (713/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forreston). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ogle County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forrestville Valley CUSD 221
District Enrollment
739
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,844
District Rank
#1 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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