- West Forest El Sch — Grades PK–6 · 100 students
- West Forest JSHS — Grades 7–12 · 98 students
- East Forest El Sch — Grades PK–6 · 70 students
- East Forest JSHS — Grades 7–12 · 58 students
| Metric | Forest Area School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 365 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 4 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $21,400/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Below average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 499 rated districts in PA → 53rd percentile → 6/10.
Source: Pennsylvania Dept. of Education PSSA, grades 3–8 ELA & Math, Proficient or Advanced, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Forest Area School District
Zip code 16353 in Forest, Pennsylvania is served by Forest Area School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Forest Area School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
Forest Area School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 6/10, placing it in the average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Pennsylvania’s PSSA 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 Pennsylvania is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Forest Area School District falls near the middle of Pennsylvania on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 16353
Children in zip code 16353 are assigned to Forest Area 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 16353, 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 Area School District at (814)755-4491 or visit www.forestareaschools.org/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Pennsylvania 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 Tionesta
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Forest Area School District serves zip code 16353, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 16353. 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 Pennsylvania, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Forest Area 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 16353.
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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Forest Area School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 16353 data.