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Average

#1031 of 1,793 schools in MA

Forestdale

Elementary School · Malden

74 Sylvan Street, Malden, MA 02148

Enrollment

550

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,031 of 1,793

In Malden

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

Malden

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Forestdale

5.9/10

Elementary School in Malden · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Salemwood

3.9/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Herbert Clark Hoover

7.1/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Forestdale

Forestdale is a public elementary school in Malden, MA, part of Malden. Forestdale serves approximately 550 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Forestdale has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,031 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for Forestdale show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • MA avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,933
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

Forestdale — Students at Forestdale score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.4% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 43.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 130 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
43%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
41.4%
ELA
50.4%
2019
Math
36.6%
ELA
54.6%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
26.3%
ELA
41.4%
2022
Math
26.1%
ELA
34.9%
2023
Math
30.7%
ELA
38.5%
2024
Math
32.5%
ELA
34.7%
2025
Math
32%
ELA
41.7%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Forestdale Compares

See how Forestdale performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
43th percentile in MA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

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 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is Horace Mann (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Herbert Clark Hoover (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably 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 3.9
Herbert Clark Hoover Melrose 0.7 mi 7.1
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Malden 0.6 mi 8.2
Malden Early Learning Center Malden 0.8 mi 5.3
MALDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Malden 1.0 mi 5.0
Malden High Malden 1.1 mi 4.4
Winthrop Melrose 1.2 mi 8.0
Lafayette School Everett 1.3 mi 4.5
CHEVERUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Malden 1.2 mi 5.3
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Melrose 1.2 mi 5.4
Ferryway Malden 1.3 mi 6.3
Linden Malden 1.1 mi 6.0
Lincoln Melrose 1.2 mi 6.1
MELROSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Melrose 1.4 mi 5.2
Melrose High Melrose 1.8 mi 8.5
Melrose Middle Melrose 1.8 mi 6.1
Early Childhood Center Melrose 1.9 mi 5.7
Everett High Everett 1.8 mi 4.8
Horace Mann Melrose 2.0 mi 7.3
Beebe Malden 1.6 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Berkley Community School Berkley, MA 5.9
Downey Brockton, MA 5.9
J F Kennedy Elementary Randolph, MA 5.9
Page Hilltop Elementary School Ayer, MA 5.9
ST BERNADETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Northborough, MA 5.9
Salisbury Elementary Salisbury, MA 5.9

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 ranks #1,031 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is Forestdale's MySchoolScout rating?

Forestdale has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Forestdale?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forestdale has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

District

Malden
District Enrollment
6,282
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,933
District Rank
#3 of 7

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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