- Forest City High School — 10.1 mi · Grades 9–12 · 304 students
- Forest City Middle School — 10.1 mi · Grades 5–8 · 330 students
- Forest City Elementary School — 10.4 mi · Grades PK–4 · 448 students
| Metric | Forest City Community School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,141 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,341/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 24% below avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City Community School District (this district) | 9/10 | 81st | 1,141 |
| Central Springs Community School District | 5/10 | 49th | 813 |
| Lake Mills Community School District | 10/10 | 94th | 671 |
| Clear Lake Community School District | 7/10 | 69th | 1,495 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 316 rated districts in IA → 81st percentile → 9/10.
Source: Iowa Dept. of Education ISASP, grades 3–8 ELA & Math, Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Forest City Community School District
Families in zip code 50434 (Fertile, Iowa) are assigned to Forest City Community School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Forest City Community School District 9 out of 10 — top-tier among Iowa public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Iowa’s ISASP grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Iowa is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Forest City Community School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Iowa on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 50434 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 50434
Children in zip code 50434 are assigned to Forest City Community School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 50434, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Forest City Community School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Iowa districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Fertile
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Forest City Community School District serves zip code 50434, homes in and around zip code 50434 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Iowa, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Forest City Community School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 50434.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Forest City Community School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 50434 data.