Photo: Ardelta · CC BY-SA 4.0Forrest City’s public schools score below 88% of Arkansas districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Forrest City’s districts is 14%, below the Arkansas average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Forrest City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.
From Arkansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Forrest City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 15% of tested students were proficient in reading and 14% in math, against 40% and 38% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas (the state reports Forrest City’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,567 per student, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Stewart Elementary School, then Forrest City Junior High School, then Forrest City High School. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Calvary Christian School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Forrest City’s grade
D: better than 12% of Arkansas school districts, #118 of 123 Arkansas towns. Both inputs trail the Arkansas average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Forrest City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Forrest City
Central Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 713 students · 29:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Forrest City
Central Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 713 students · 29:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Forrest City
Central Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 713 students · 29:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Forrest City
Central Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 713 students · 29:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Forrest City
Stewart Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 400 students · 18:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Forrest City
Stewart Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 400 students · 18:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Forrest City
Stewart Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 400 students · 18:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Forrest City
Lincoln Academy
Grades 6 · 132 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Forrest City
Forrest City Junior High School
Grades 7–8 · 270 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Forrest City
Forrest City Junior High School
Grades 7–8 · 270 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Forrest City
Forrest City High School
Grades 9–12 · 563 students · 7:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Forrest City
Forrest City High School
Grades 9–12 · 563 students · 7:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Forrest City
Forrest City High School
Grades 9–12 · 563 students · 7:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Forrest City
Forrest City High School
Grades 9–12 · 563 students · 7:1 students per teacher
Forrest City’s public schools are run by Forrest City School District, which also serves Caldwell, Colt, Madison and Widener. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Forrest City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Forrest City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Forrest City | D | Forrest City |
| Caldwell | — | Forrest City |
Every school in Forrest City
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arkansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (East Arkansas Secondary Career Center).
Questions about Forrest City’s schools
Are Forrest City’s schools good?
On Arkansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Forrest City children attend score below 88% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #118 of 123 Arkansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Forrest City in?
Forrest City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,078 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Forrest City kids go to high school?
Forrest City High School, with 563 students; its own test results earn a D−.
What is Forrest City’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Forrest City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas.
How much does Forrest City spend per student?
$13,567 in Forrest City School District (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Forrest City?
Yes: Calvary Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 136 students).
Parents talk
What Forrest City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Forrest City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arkansas. Stars are from neighbors.