Very Good
#641 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 35% in state
Forest Middle
Middle School · Bedford County Public Schools
100 Ashwood Dr, Forest, VA 24551
Enrollment
890
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
890
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest
#2 of 5
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#142 of 340
In district
#8 of 19
Bedford County Public Schools
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest Middle
Forest Middle serves 890 students in grades 6 through 8 in Forest, Virginia, within Bedford County. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2 to 1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. The school currently ranks #1531 out of 1856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 18th percentile among Virginia schools, with room for academic growth.
Forest Middle operates as a regular public school focused on supporting students during these important transitional years between elementary and high school. The school draws from a well-established community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 47% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code of 24551 has a median household income of $88,251 and median home value of $331,100, reflecting a stable economic foundation.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 5.2%, suggesting families generally have resources to support their children's educational journey. Forest Middle is situated in Forest's mid-size suburban environment, serving a population of nearly 27,000 residents who have chosen this Bedford County community for its balance of accessibility and small-town character.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Forest Middle — Students at Forest Middle score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
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: 7.4/10.
How Forest Middle Compares
See how Forest Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 89% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 85% (2019) to 88% (2025).
Location
100 Ashwood Dr, Forest, VA 24551
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sandusky Middle (rated 5.6/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Brookville Middle (rated 5.5/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Lynchburg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Forest, see our Forest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Elementary Forest | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Jefferson Forest High Forest | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary Forest | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| TIMBERLAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Forest | 3.4 mi | 4.2 |
| New London Academy Elementary Forest | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| BLUE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lynchburg | 4.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Brookville Middle Lynchburg | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Tomahawk Elementary Lynchburg | 4.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Brookville High Lynchburg | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| THE BRANCHES ACADEMY & EARLY LEARNING CENTER Lynchburg | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Boonsboro Elementary Lynchburg | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Leesville Road Elementary Lynchburg | 5.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Heritage Elementary Lynchburg | 5.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Heritage High Lynchburg | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Sandusky Elementary Lynchburg | 5.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Sandusky Middle Lynchburg | 5.9 mi | 5.6 |
| BRIDGES TREATMENT CENTER Lynchburg | 6.0 mi | — |
| NEW COVENANT SCHOOLS Lynchburg | 6.1 mi | 5.1 |
| JAMES RIVER DAY SCHOOL Lynchburg | 6.9 mi | 6.7 |
| RIVERMONT LYNCHBURG NORTH Lynchburg | 6.6 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Franklin Middle Chantilly, VA | 7.0 |
| James Wood Middle Winchester, VA | 7.0 |
| John F. Kennedy Middle Suffolk, VA | 7.0 |
| Seneca Ridge Middle Sterling, VA | 7.0 |
| Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg, VA | 7.1 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg, VA | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Middle
What grades does Forest Middle serve?
Forest Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Forest Middle?
Forest Middle has an enrollment of approximately 890 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Middle is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Middle rank in VA?
Forest Middle is ranked #641 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Forest Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Forest Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Middle has 81.2% math proficiency and 87.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Middle a charter school?
No, Forest Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Middle a Title I school?
No, Forest Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Middle?
22.7% of students at Forest Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 890
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 22.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Bedford County
- Phone
- (434) 525-6630
- 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
- #8 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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