Forest Hills Public Schools

Strong Schools, Strong Communities

Forest Hills Public Schools serves more than 10,000 students and includes 18 school buildings, a fine arts center, a community/aquatic and senior center, and other service buildings. Moderately-sized schools
with smaller class sizes help the district feel smaller and enable us to stay more connected. We pride
ourselves on a reputation for academic excellence and innovative programming. Our staff is committed
to providing every student educational opportunities that will maximize each student’s preparation for
the future.  Strengthening our schools strengthens our future workforce, helping develop talent right here in our district. The students and staff in Forest Hills Public Schools are grateful to our voters for approving the
Strong Schools, Strong Communities millage, which we are putting to good use for students. 

District Mission

In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Career Learning

We help students consider and connect with possible careers, build the skills expected in the workplace
and learn about options after graduation, including college, technical training or going directly into the
workforce. We offer career and technical coursework through Kent Career Tech Center, Kent Health
Career Internship and Kent Innovation High. In addition, Forest Hills Public Schools offers students a
wide array of career-related learning opportunities including business, communications, and industrial
technology courses, as well as work and cooperative education experiences.

Academics and Beyond

Strong academics are the basis for all of K-12 learning, beginning with literacy, mathematics, science,
social studies. In addition to these areas, we engage students with a wide range of courses including
visual and performing arts, technology and robotics, world languages, and much more. Specialized
programs include language immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin, outdoor and environmental
education, and a STEM Academy. After-school and summer learning opportunities are provided through
Enjoy Learning with exciting course offerings for all ages on wide ranging topics from aquatics to digital
learning.

Early Childhood

Early childhood is a critical time of development. Exploratory learning is especially important during this
time when rapid growth of cognitive, social, and emotional skills is experienced. Forest Hills Public
Schools offers numerous programs to support our youngest learners and help prepare them for school
success. Bright Beginnings serves families with children from birth to kindergarten with home visits,
playgroups, and screenings. Preschool programs include traditional preschool, Spanish immersion
preschool, and the Great Start Readiness program.

Support for Students

Many students may need a little extra support at some point in their schooling. This may occur in a
particular subject, with an assignment, or during a life challenge. We work hard to support students so
they succeed. This includes hiring the highest quality staffing and using evidence-based practices in
every classroom. In addition, we provide comprehensive K-12 guidance and counseling programming in
all of our schools, with preventive lessons and supports for individuals, small groups, and classrooms.
Forest Hills Public Schools also offers a continuum of special education programs and services including
resource programs, categorical classrooms, and post-secondary transition services.

Fund Allocation

How Forest Hills is using the funds generated from the enhancement millage:

• Supporting our Teachers - FHPS provided teachers with a one percent increase in pay
  and advanced teachers on the salary schedule based upon experience and merit. State
  funding alone would not have covered these basic, inflationary costs for the 2017-18
  school year.
• Maintain programming - FHPS continues to provide comprehensive educational
  programming in small-school environments where each child receives specialized focus
  and attention.

Enhancement millage dollars

Forest Hills has received the following enhancement millage dollars

• 2017-18 amount received - $2,105,430.43
• 2018-19 amount received - $2,215,481.44
• 2019-20 amount received - $2,304,181.49
• 2020-21 amount received - $2,410,831.18
• 2021-22 amount received - $2,430,417.23
• 2022-23 amount expected - $2,559,435.01