The mission of John A. Forrest School is to instill in our students a sense of wonder and joy in the lifelong process of learning.

Our slogan, "The Place to Grow", conveys the belief that we are all a community of learners. In a climate of high expectations, students, staff and parents collaborate in the "excitement" of learning.

We believe that education is most effective in a heterogeneous setting that respects children's individual learning styles and appreciates that learning is a developmentally appropriate process.

We believe that the optimal learning environment is one that is physically and emotionally safe, that offers students the opportunities for exploration, interaction, and experimentation as well as the freedom to take initiative, be creative, and learn from mistakes.

We believe that students should experience daily success enabling the development of a sense of competence and self-worth.

We believe that each child needs to develop a sensitivity and respect for the rights and abilities of others.

We believe that each child needs to grow to be a self-regulating, productive and responsible citizen able to effectively engage in individual and group problem-solving and decision-making.

We believe that our high expectations and respect for the unique qualities of each child mandate a culturally, racially, educationally and economically diverse school that reflects the diversity of our society