Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Forest Hills Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1785^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 20% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Forest Hills Elementary School is a PK-5 public school in Tampa, FL, serving 731 students within the Hillsborough district, where about 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school stands out as a remarkable turnaround story in a cluster of low-performing schools, climbing from the 2nd percentile in state rankings a decade ago to the 20th percentile in 2025-2026, a significant leap that sets it apart from nearby peers like Shaw Elementary School and Twin Lakes Elementary School, which remain stuck in the bottom 3rd percentile. While Forest Hills still holds a 1-star rating, it is the only school in its immediate area—excluding the higher-performing Lake Magdalene Elementary School—to break out of the bottom 10% of Florida elementary schools, making it a bright spot for families seeking improvement in a challenging environment.

Academically, Forest Hills shows uneven but promising strengths. In 5th grade science, 57% of students were proficient in 2025-2026, the highest rate among comparable nearby schools and above the district average of 55%, a dramatic jump from just 27% two years earlier. Math scores are also competitive, with 5th graders achieving 59% proficiency, matching Lake Magdalene Elementary School for the top spot among neighbors and exceeding the district average. However, English Language Arts (ELA) remains a persistent weakness, with only 34% of 5th graders proficient, highlighting a need for targeted literacy support. The school’s spending per student ($13,421) is higher than Lake Magdalene Elementary School ($11,936) but lower than lower-performing peers like Witter Elementary School ($14,162), suggesting effective resource use despite high poverty.

The biggest challenge facing Forest Hills is chronic absenteeism, which affected 38.8% of students in 2023-2024, down from a staggering 49.5% the year before but still far above district and state averages. This issue is widespread across the area, with all nearby schools reporting rates between 36% and 55%, and it likely limits further academic growth. For parents, Forest Hills offers a school on an upward trajectory, with strong science and math programs, but one where attendance and literacy support are critical areas to watch. Its progress, especially compared to stagnant neighbors like Miles Elementary School (9th percentile), makes it a compelling choice for families prioritizing improvement and resilience.

731

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,421

Per pupil spending ?

74.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

10112 N Ola Ave
Tampa, FL 33612

(813) 975-7633

District: Hillsborough

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

60.6%

African American:

24.1%

White:

10.9%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Forest Hills Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 2nd percentile in 2016 → 20th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 18 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (48% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (20th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (39% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school48%

District avg58%

Florida avg62%

1,785^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 20%▲ up 18 pts since 2016

From bottom 2% (2016) to bottom 20% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

115^th of 175Elementary Schools in the Hillsborough

45^th of 70Hillsborough among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	25.2	1785 of 2240	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.7	1832 of 2258	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.7	1936 of 2256	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	16.7	1991 of 2240	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.0	1973 of 2219	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	13.1	2047 of 2247	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	9.3	2067 of 2182	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	4.0	2084 of 2118	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	3.2	2088 of 2112	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	5.6	2039 of 2087	2.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	12.3	1920 of 2064	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	23.6	1641 of 2029	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	22.8	1600 of 1984	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	11.4	1841 of 1985	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	16.5	1691 of 1919	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	15.9	1638 of 1847	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	16.4	1577 of 1789	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	22.3	1468 of 1786	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	24.5	1323 of 1688	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science57%-3 vs state

Math50%-14 vs state

English Language Arts42%-18 vs state

2.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

Rate Forest Hills Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, May 14, 2020

My belief is that there is now a really great principal at Forest Hills Elementary but I also believe she really needs to evaluate the monaton in her voice when dealing with parents. Also needs to quit worrying so much about numbers for funding and pay attention to her staff and their attitude,as well as change some of her ways when it comes to dealing with frustrated parents. We are all on the same team, so I thought. Close Quote

Schools Near Forest Hills Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Forest Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10112 N Ola Ave	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7633	731	49	14.7	74.6%	80 (10.9%)	176 (24.1%)	443 (60.6%)	10 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	18 (2.5%)	25.2	1785^th of 2240 public elementary schools	20.3%		22.7	1832^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	18.9%	47	44.0	47.0	34.0				43.0	52.0	59.0				57.0				$13,421	$2,335	$11,085
Legacy Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	302 E Linebaugh Ave	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	Yes	(813) 499-1389	102	5	19.4	94.1%	6 (5.9%)	59 (57.8%)	33 (32.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.0%)	2 (2.0%)								(n/a)						67.0						67.0		50.0			$9,845	$1,213	$8,632
Miles Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	317 E 124th Ave	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7337	585	43	13.7	72.6%	40 (6.8%)	192 (32.8%)	323 (55.2%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.1%)	14.7	2046^th of 2240 public elementary schools	8.7%		10.8	2129^th of 2258 public elementary schools	5.7%	83	29.0	42.0	36.0				45.0	34.0	52.0				46.0				$14,727	$2,646	$12,081
Lake Magdalene Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2002 Pine Lake Dr	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7625	739	43	17.1	53.7%	198 (26.8%)	69 (9.3%)	416 (56.3%)	15 (2.0%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	37 (5.0%)	39	1430^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.2%		41.9	1298^th of 2258 public elementary schools	42.5%	132	51.0	51.0	53.0				57.0	71.0	59.0				49.0				$11,936	$1,438	$10,498
Shaw Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11311 N 15th St	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7366	682	45	15.3	65.8%	16 (2.3%)	238 (34.9%)	412 (60.4%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.6%)	5.4	2197^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.9%		6.5	2203^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	2.4%	6	31.0	26.0	25.0				29.0	36.0	33.0				38.0				$13,566	$1,921	$11,645
Sulphur Springs K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	8412 N 13th St	Tampa	33604	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7305	678	36	19.0	84.5%	27 (4.0%)	425 (62.7%)	203 (29.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	22 (3.2%)	19.8	1931^st of 2240 public elementary schools	13.8%		7.9	2183^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	3.3%	252	30.0	43.0	62.0	40.0	34.0	40.0	43.0	57.0	52.0	38.0	27.0	19.0	30.0	28.0	100.0	55.0	$12,521	$1,986	$10,535
Twin Lakes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8507 N Habana Ave	Tampa	33614	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7380	535	26	20.8	73.6%	26 (4.9%)	74 (13.8%)	424 (79.3%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.1%)	1.6	2224^th of 2240 public elementary schools	0.7%		4.7	2222^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	1.6%	2	21.0	27.0	28.0				23.0	24.0	15.0				21.0				$10,836	$1,479	$9,358
Witter Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10801 N 22nd St	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7383	530	36	14.7	76.2%	30 (5.7%)	222 (41.9%)	230 (43.4%)	18 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (5.5%)	7.9	2172^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	3.0%		7.4	2191^st of 2258 public elementary schools	3.0%	19	39.0	28.0	28.0				37.0	46.0	38.0				22.0				$14,162	$1,974	$12,188
Dr Carter G Woodson K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	8715 N 22nd St	Tampa	33604	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7652	990	44	22.3	71.5%	54 (5.5%)	459 (46.4%)	432 (43.6%)	5 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (3.9%)	5	2198^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.9%		4.1	2227^th of 2258 public elementary schools	1.4%	29	21.0	37.0	29.0	35.0	43.0	51.0	24.0	33.0	23.0	34.0	20.0	62.0	24.0	26.0	81.0	51.0	$11,316	$1,649	$9,667
Excelsior Prep Charter School	Public, Charter	K-5	2156 University Square Mall	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	Yes	(813) 644-9060	0	17	13.3		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	20.2	1919^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.3%		14.4	2053^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	9.1%	134	27.0	23.0	63.0				18.0	15.0	63.0				37.0				$12,154	$1,621	$10,534

Frequently Asked Questions about Forest Hills Elementary School

What district is Forest Hills Elementary School in?

Hillsborough

Is Forest Hills Elementary School a good school?

Forest Hills Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.3% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Forest Hills Elementary School?

Students at Forest Hills Elementary School are 61% Hispanic, 24% African American, 11% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Forest Hills Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Forest Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Chamberlain High School

How many students attend Forest Hills Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 731 students attended Forest Hills Elementary School.

Rate Forest Hills Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Tampa, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Forest Hills Elementary School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.