Average
#1138 of 1,850 schools in VA
Forest Elementary
Elementary School · Bedford County Public Schools
One Scholar Lane, Forest, VA 24551
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest
#4 of 5
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#612 of 1,147
In district
#11 of 19
Bedford County Public Schools
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Forest Elementary
Forest Elementary, located in the picturesque suburb of Forest, Virginia, offers a robust educational experience for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 362 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to ensure every child's learning needs are met. The dedicated faculty consists of 19 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to foster a supportive and engaging environment.
Forest Elementary excels in academic performance, boasting an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 86% and a Math proficiency rate of 88%. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students achieve their highest potential. The MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 places Forest Elementary at the 62nd percentile among Virginia schools, indicating solid academic performance with room for growth.
Forest Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb where families and community members are deeply involved in supporting the school's mission to provide quality education. The surrounding area offers a nurturing setting that complements the school’s warm and inclusive atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Forest Elementary — Students at Forest Elementary score 86% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Forest Elementary Compares
See how Forest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 87% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 87% (2019) to 86% (2025).
Location
One Scholar Lane, Forest, VA 24551
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thomas Jefferson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLUE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boonsboro Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forest, see our Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Forest High Forest | 0.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Forest Middle Forest | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary Forest | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| TIMBERLAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Forest | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| BLUE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lynchburg | 3.7 mi | 7.3 |
| New London Academy Elementary Forest | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Brookville Middle Lynchburg | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Tomahawk Elementary Lynchburg | 4.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Brookville High Lynchburg | 4.5 mi | 5.3 |
| THE BRANCHES ACADEMY & EARLY LEARNING CENTER Lynchburg | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Boonsboro Elementary Lynchburg | 5.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Heritage Elementary Lynchburg | 5.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Leesville Road Elementary Lynchburg | 5.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Heritage High Lynchburg | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg | 5.7 mi | 5.0 |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOLS Lynchburg | 5.8 mi | 5.1 |
| JAMES RIVER DAY SCHOOL Lynchburg | 6.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Sandusky Middle Lynchburg | 5.8 mi | 5.6 |
| BRIDGES TREATMENT CENTER Lynchburg | 6.1 mi | — |
| RIVERMONT LYNCHBURG NORTH Lynchburg | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24551 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,119
Median Home Value
$345,600
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Population
27,606
College Educated
46.8%
Homeownership
81.6%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
42
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest Elementary has a median household income of $91,119. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,600, with a median rent of $1,087/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Captain John Smith Elementary Hampton, VA | 5.9 |
| Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff, VA | 5.9 |
| Chimborazo Elementary Richmond, VA | 5.9 |
| Coles Elementary Manassas, VA | 5.9 |
| Dryden Elementary Dryden, VA | 5.9 |
| Fries Elementary Fries, VA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Elementary
What grades does Forest Elementary serve?
Forest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forest Elementary?
Forest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Elementary is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Elementary rank in VA?
Forest Elementary is ranked #1138 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Forest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Elementary has 88.2% math proficiency and 86.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Elementary a charter school?
No, Forest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Forest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Elementary?
18.0% of students at Forest Elementary 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
- County Safety
- Average (586/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Bedford County
- Phone
- (434) 525-2681
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bedford County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,059
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,519
- District Rank
- #11 of 19
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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