Forest Hills School in Florence, AL, ranked #126 in Alabama in 2023, showing a decline from its peak rank of #36 in 2016 and fluctuating rankings over the past decade.
Math proficiency was 54% in 2023, higher than the Alabama state average of 30%, though this reflects a decline from a high of 95% in 2012; reading proficiency stood at 69%, higher than the state average of 47%, maintaining a generally strong position.
Minority enrollment accounted for 36% of the 827 students in 2023, with stable enrollment and a consistent student–teacher ratio of 15:1 over recent years; 39% of students qualified for free lunch in 2023, reflecting socioeconomic factors.
Forest Hills School serves grades Pre–K through 4 with 55 teachers and participates in the National School Lunch Program under the Community Eligibility Option; the school had a 94% graduation rate in 2023, exceeding the state average of 88%.
Science proficiency ranged from 55% to 59%, higher than the state average of approximately 38%, though reported data shows an unusually high figure likely due to formatting errors, which should be noted.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: Kindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 906 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 34%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 54% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 55-59% (Top 20%)
- Attendance Zone: Florence area, where most students reside within a 10-12 min. drive, averaging 3.4 mi., with the furthest being 6 mi.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Forest Hills School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Student Attention
School Overview
Forest Hills School's student population of 906 students has grown by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 63 teachers has grown by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
906 students
Total Classroom Teachers
63 teachers
School Calendar
School Rankings
Forest Hills School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Forest Hills School is 0.53, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#126 out of 1275 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
6%
12%
Black
17%
31%
White
66%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
11%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
47%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forest Hills School's ranking?
Forest Hills School is ranked #126 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Forest Hills School often compared to?
Forest Hills Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Harlan Elementary School, Brooks Elementary School, Weeden Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
54% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Forest Hills School?
906 students attend Forest Hills School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
66% of Forest Hills School students are White, 17% of students are Black, 11% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Forest Hills School?
Forest Hills School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Forest Hills School offer ?
Forest Hills School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Forest Hills School part of?
Forest Hills School is part of Florence City School District.
In what neighborhood is Forest Hills School located?
Forest Hills School is located in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Florence, AL.
School Reviews
Review Forest Hills School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
