Average
#1019 of 1,791 schools in MA
Forestdale
Elementary School · Malden
74 Sylvan Street, Malden, MA 02148
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
550
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Malden
#3 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#576 of 1,022
In district
#2 of 7
Malden
About Forestdale
Forestdale is a regular public elementary school in Malden, Massachusetts, located at 74 Sylvan Street. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, Forestdale has an enrollment of 550 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 with 46 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a large suburban area known for its community feel.
Forestdale’s academic performance shows room for growth, with MySchoolScout ranking the school at 34th percentile among Massachusetts schools and a state rank of #1183 out of 1796. Students perform around average for ELA/Reading proficiency at 42%, while Math proficiency is at 32% and Science proficiency sits slightly above that at 34%. The school focuses on fostering student development and improvement.
Forestdale’s setting in a suburban area offers students access to the resources and community support of Malden.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Forestdale — Students at Forestdale score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 108 test records from MA 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: 6.7/10.
How Forestdale Compares
See how Forestdale performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 28% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 36% (2022).
Location
74 Sylvan Street, Malden, MA 02148
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forestdale may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Winthrop (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Horace Mann (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Herbert Clark Hoover (rated 6.4/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Malden, see our Malden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Salemwood Malden | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Herbert Clark Hoover Melrose | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Malden | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Malden Early Learning Center Malden | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| MALDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Malden | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Malden High Malden | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Winthrop Melrose | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Lafayette School Everett | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| CHEVERUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Malden | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Melrose | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ferryway Malden | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Linden Malden | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Melrose | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| MELROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Melrose | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Melrose High Melrose | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Melrose Middle Melrose | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Early Childhood Center Melrose | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Everett High Everett | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Horace Mann Melrose | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Beebe Malden | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02148 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,298
Median Home Value
$607,500
Median Rent
$2,066/mo
Population
65,509
College Educated
44.9%
Homeownership
42.1%
Avg Commute
35.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forestdale has a median household income of $95,298. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,500, with a median rent of $2,066/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Center Elementary School Chelmsford, MA | 6.0 |
| Indian Brook Plymouth, MA | 6.0 |
| John J McGlynn Elementary School Medford, MA | 6.0 |
| Joseph McAvinnue Lowell, MA | 6.0 |
| Lincoln Melrose, MA | 6.0 |
| Northeast Elementary School Waltham, MA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forestdale
What grades does Forestdale serve?
Forestdale serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Forestdale?
Forestdale has an enrollment of approximately 550 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forestdale?
The student-teacher ratio at Forestdale is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forestdale rank in MA?
Forestdale is ranked #1019 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Forestdale's MySchoolScout rating?
Forestdale has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Forestdale?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forestdale has 32.9% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forestdale a charter school?
No, Forestdale is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forestdale a Title I school?
No, Forestdale is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,475/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Malden). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 550
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Middlesex County
- Phone
- (781) 397-7326
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Malden- District Enrollment
- 6,282
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,933
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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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