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
Enrollment
252
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Forreston Grade School — Students at Forreston Grade School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
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
↑ 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: 7.0/10.
How Forreston Grade School Compares
See how Forreston Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (815) 938-2301
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Forrestville Valley CUSD 221- District Enrollment
- 739
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,844
- District Rank
- #1 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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