The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Math. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Forest Hill El
# Forest Hill Elementary
Forest Hill Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade in Amarillo, drawing from a neighborhood in the eastern part of the city. The school enrolls a small student body that is predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. An overwhelming share of students—roughly equivalent to the entire enrollment—qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the surrounding area. The school's enrollment sits near the middle range for its grade configuration across Potter County.
**Academic Performance**
Forest Hill's state assessment results show uneven proficiency. Third-grade reading and math are notably weak, with fewer than two out of every five students reaching proficiency in either subject. Fourth-grade performance improves somewhat, particularly in reading where about half the students meet the standard, and math jumps to roughly half as well. By fifth grade, math performance strengthens further, approaching three-fifths proficiency, while reading performance dips again to about half the class meeting the standard. Science testing at the fifth-grade level showed no students reaching proficiency on the assessment administered.
When viewed across all subjects and grades, about three-quarters of students meet the "approaches" level—the lowest proficiency tier—indicating they have foundational understanding. Roughly half of students reach the "meets" standard, the middle tier, and about one in seven reach "masters," the highest level. In reading specifically, performance is somewhat stronger at the "approaches" level, while math shows the highest rate at that entry level. When a parent looks at grade-level breakdowns, the pattern that emerges is moderate proficiency in the middle grades with softer results at the bottom and top of the elementary range.
Compared to other districts in Potter County, Forest Hill's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint, though the margin is modest. A parent may want to look into the school's specific interventions for early grades, since third-grade results appear to be a particular area of concern.
**Student Population and Setting**
The school reflects Amarillo's demographic and economic realities. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with smaller shares of white, Black, and Asian students. Almost no students are identified as Native American or Pacific Islander. Because specific data on English learner status and special education enrollment were not available, a parent would benefit from asking the school directly about these populations and how they are supported.
The overwhelming economic disadvantage—nearly all students from low-income families—shapes the resources the school can draw on from home and may influence the instructional priorities the school sets. This context does not determine outcomes, but it is a relevant fact about the peer group and the school's mission.
**Housing and Community Context**
Forest Hill is located on Amarillo Boulevard East, in an older residential area of the city where housing values are modest. The area is part of Amarillo's post-war and mid-century suburban stock. Amarillo as a whole is experiencing growth, particularly in the newer south and southwest subdivisions in Randall County, while older neighborhoods on the east and north sides like the one around Forest Hill have remained more stable. The city's largest employers span healthcare, defense manufacturing, food processing, and energy. Downtown Amarillo has an active revitalization effort with mixed-use development, arts venues, and civic anchors, though most of the city remains car-oriented.
For a family considering this school, the neighborhood offers affordability and established residential character, though it comes with the housing stock and services typical of an economically challenged older area. The school itself is a regular public school with no specialized program designation.
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