With the slogan "The Place to Grow," Forrest School has the stated goal of helping every child reach his or her greatest potential through differentiated instruction addressing students' individual needs. Parallel block schedules for grades 3 to 5 creates opportunities for teacher collaboration and creative classes, including keyboarding, "Harmony of History" (social studies/music enrichment) and a hands-on science lab.
The school also has a multi-age literacy initiative for grades 1 and 2 that places students in instructional groups according to their proficiency in reading and writing rather than solely by age or grade. In the Museum School program, 4th and 5th graders visit historic sites to study the American colonial period in an interactive manner.
Parents of the students are involved in community social action projects and fundraising activities supporting the Hilltop Haven Family Shelter in Paterson.