Forest Hill Elementary School

Forest Hill Elementary School in West Palm Beach, FL, serves 953 students in grades PK-5 within the Palm Beach district, where 64.6% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This school has staged a remarkable turnaround, climbing from a low point in the 2022-2023 school year to its highest ranking in a decade—now in the 64th percentile statewide with a 3-star rating, outperforming all nearby schools like Greenacres Elementary School (48th percentile) and Pine Jog Elementary School (43rd percentile).

Forest Hill shines brightest in science and early math. In the most recent school year, 78% of 5th graders were proficient in science—18 points above the state average and the highest among all nearby schools, with the next best being Pine Jog at 65%. Similarly, 80% of 3rd graders achieved math proficiency, outpacing the district (67%) and state (66%), and topping the list of local schools. The school also excels in preparing students for advanced math, with 95% of 6th graders proficient, a common strength among feeder schools in the area. However, English Language Arts (ELA) scores lag behind, with only 52% of 3rd graders proficient compared to the state average of 60%, highlighting a key area for growth.

Despite these academic gains, chronic absenteeism remains a challenge at 28.6%, though it has improved from 35.8% two years ago. The school’s per-student spending of $16,123 is among the highest in the area, second only to Greenacres Elementary, and appears to be effectively invested in driving student success. For parents, Forest Hill offers a strong foundation in math and science, with a clear upward trajectory, but may require extra support at home for reading and writing skills.