The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 30% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Forest Hill Junior High School
ForestHill Junior High School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the village of Forest Hill, a small rural community in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. It is a regular public school, neither a charter nor a magnet, and it sits within the Rapides Parish School District. Because the school stops at eighth grade, there is no graduation rate to report; families will need to consider high school options elsewhere after eighth grade.
The school’s academic performance comes from Louisiana’s LEAP 2025 assessments administered in grades three through eight. The results present a mixed picture. In English language arts, roughly half of students met the proficiency benchmark, making it the strongest subject overall. Math and social studies each saw a smaller share of students reach that level, while science was the most challenging area, with the lowest proportion scoring proficient or above. Participation in testing was complete, meaning nearly every enrolled student took the assessments. Only a single year of data was available, so no trend toward improvement or decline could be observed.
The student body numbers just over 500 children. The demographic profile is notably Hispanic and White, with Hispanic students forming the largest group, followed by a substantial White population, and very small shares of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. A very large share of students come from low-income households, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so a parent may want to inquire directly about those supports.
Forest Hill itself is a small village that has been experiencing rapid population growth in recent years, though it remains modest in absolute size. The local economy centers on the nursery industry — the village is home to dozens of plant nurseries and calls itself the “Nursery Capital of the World.” Many residents work in construction, retail trade, and agriculture. The Hispanic population in the village is substantial, reflecting a significant share of foreign-born residents, a pattern seen in the school’s enrollment as well. Housing costs in the area are moderate compared to national averages. The village is car-dependent, and there is no traditional walkable downtown or public transit. The school is embedded in the community along the main highway, serving as a local anchor alongside the town hall and the annual Louisiana Nursery Festival.
No comparative academic positioning was available because the data could not generate a meaningful contrast with other schools in the district — the comparison set was too small. This means a reader cannot place Forest Hill Junior High’s performance in a local ranking. Similarly, information on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, and course access was absent from the available record.
For a parent evaluating this school, the key takeaway is that it offers a full pre-K through eighth grade program in a small, high-poverty rural community with a diverse student body and a mixed academic performance profile. Families comfortable with a car-dependent village setting and who plan ahead for high school enrollment will find a school that is central to the life of Forest Hill. The lack of comparative data and certain student-support metrics are gaps worth exploring through direct contact with the school or district.
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