Forest Hills Global Elementary

Forest Hills Global Elementary is a K-5 school in Wilmington, NC, serving around 340 students, where nearly all students (99%) come from economically disadvantaged households and the school faces significant challenges, though recent data shows some encouraging movement. It sits within the New Hanover County Schools, a relatively strong district overall, but Forest Hills itself currently ranks in the 17th percentile statewide, placing it in the bottom fifth of North Carolina elementary schools.

The most urgent academic challenge is early-grade reading. Only 14.3% of 3rd graders scored proficient in reading, a staggering gap compared to the district (57.3%) and state (55.6%). While math scores also trail the district, they are comparatively stronger — 5th grade math actually exceeds the state average. The school has seen deep struggles over the past decade, hitting the 5th percentile in 2023-24, but it has climbed to the 17th percentile for 2025-26. There are also bright spots in subgroup performance: African American students rank in the 53rd percentile statewide, a dramatic jump from the 5th percentile just two years prior, and English Learner and low-income students have also shown significant year-over-year improvements.

Comparing Forest Hills to other local schools serving similar student populations shows that high poverty does not have to limit achievement. Winter Park Model Elementary, just over two miles away, also serves a 99% low-income population yet ranks in the 65th percentile, with 5th grade reading proficiency more than double Forest Hills' rate (61.2% vs 28.8%). Similarly, The International School at Gregory serves a 99.4% low-income population and ranks in the 53rd percentile. A key distinguishing factor appears to be attendance: Forest Hills' chronic absenteeism rate is 39.3%, more than double the rates at those higher-performing neighboring schools. While the school has favorable resource ratios, like a 10.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio, improving attendance and stabilizing early literacy are likely the most impactful steps toward building on the recent momentum visible in math and specific subgroups.