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Below Average

#768 of 863 schools in MS

Forest High School

High School · FOREST MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

511 CLEVELAND STREET, Forest, MS 39074

Enrollment

453

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#768 of 863

In Forest

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

FOREST MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

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Forest High School

4.2/10

High School in Forest · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Forest Elementary School

6.6/10

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

Hawkins Middle School

4.4/10

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

About Forest High School

Forest High School is a public high school in Forest, MS, part of FOREST MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST. Forest High School serves approximately 453 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #768 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Forest High School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below MS schools
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Forest High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

44% of students at Forest High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.7% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25.6% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation4.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,170
Chronic Absenteeism43.9%

Forest High School — Students at Forest High School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 30.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.5% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 32 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
47.7%
ELA
25.6%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Forest High School Compares

See how Forest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in MS
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.9%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

511 CLEVELAND STREET, Forest, MS 39074

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LEAKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Walnut Grove), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Lake), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forest, see our Forest schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.8 mi
School Distance Rating
FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Forest 0.1 mi 6.6
HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL Forest 1.4 mi 4.4
SCOTT CENTRAL ATTENDANCE CENTER Forest 5.9 mi 4.4
LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake 7.9 mi 6.6
LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Lake 9.4 mi 5.5
LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake 9.5 mi 8.2
BETTYE MAE JACK MIDDLE SCHOOL Morton 9.7 mi 5.1
MORTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Morton 9.7 mi 4.0
MORTON HIGH SCHOOL Morton 9.8 mi 3.6
LEAKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Walnut Grove 15.8 mi 8.1
Conehatta Elementary School Conehatta 14.1 mi 8.2
SEBASTOPOL ATTENDANCE CENTER Sebastopol 16.3 mi 6.8
LEAKE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Walnut Grove 17.2 mi 7.7
Standing Pine Elementary School Carthage 21.4 mi 8.2
PELAHATCHIE ATTENDANCE CENTER Pelahatchie 18.6 mi 5.3
PELAHATCHIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pelahatchie 18.6 mi 7.8
NEWTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newton 18.9 mi 4.5
NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL Newton 18.9 mi 7.3
RALEIGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Raleigh 23.1 mi 5.9
N H PILATE MIDDLE SCHOOL Newton 19.8 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39074 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,890

Median Home Value

$114,700

Median Rent

$795/mo

Population

14,423

College Educated

14.2%

Homeownership

67.3%

Avg Commute

20.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

36.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
QUITMAN HIGH SCHOOL Quitman, MS 4.2
EAST WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL Maben, MS 4.3
YAZOO CITY HIGH SCHOOL Yazoo City, MS 4.1
North Pontotoc High School Ecru, MS 4.4
PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia, MS 4.4
WINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Jackson, MS 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest High School

What grades does Forest High School serve?

Forest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Forest High School?

Forest High School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest High School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest High School rank in MS?

Forest High School ranks #768 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Forest High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Forest High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest High School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Forest High School a charter school?

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

Is Forest High School a Title I school?

No, Forest High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest High School?

100.0% of students at Forest High 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Scott County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.9%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

FOREST MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
1,630
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,170
District Rank
#3 of 3

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