Best Neighborhoods for Forest Hills Schools in West Michigan — 2026

Why Forest Hills Schools Drive the Market

If you have been researching neighborhoods in the Ada and Cascade area, you have already noticed that Forest Hills Public Schools comes up in almost every conversation. That is not an accident. Forest Hills is consistently ranked among the top school districts in Michigan, and for families with school-age children, the district boundary is often the first filter applied when searching for a home.

The result is a market where school access is a structural driver of demand — and where homes inside the Forest Hills boundary hold their value differently than comparable homes just outside it. Understanding which neighborhoods feed into Forest Hills, and what each one offers beyond the school boundary, is one of the most useful things a buyer in this market can know.

The Forest Hills District: What You Are Getting

Forest Hills Public Schools serves approximately 10,000 students across three high schools — Forest Hills Central, Forest Hills Eastern, and Forest Hills Northern — along with several middle schools and elementary schools. The district consistently ranks in the top tier of Michigan school districts on state assessments, and its graduation rates, college placement, and extracurricular programs are among the strongest in West Michigan.

The district draws from a large geographic area covering Ada Township, Cascade Township, and portions of Grand Rapids Township. Within that area, there are several distinct neighborhoods worth knowing.

Ada Township: The Heart of the District

Ada Township is the geographic and cultural center of the Forest Hills district. The village of Ada — with its historic bridge, walkable downtown, local restaurants, and proximity to the Thornapple River — gives the area a character that is genuinely rare in suburban West Michigan. Homes here range from renovated mid-century ranches to newer custom construction, with prices generally running from the mid-$500s into the $1.5M range and above.

Elementary students in Ada typically attend Ada Elementary or Knapp Forest Elementary, feeding into Cascade Middle School and ultimately Forest Hills Eastern High School. Eastern is known for strong academics, competitive athletics, and a community feel that reflects the neighborhoods it serves.

For buyers who want walkability, character, and access to the district's best schools, Ada Township is the starting point.

Green Tree Farms: Wooded Lots and Custom Homes

Green Tree Farms is one of Ada Township's most distinctive neighborhoods — a collection of custom homes on generously wooded lots, with a character that feels more private and natural than most suburban developments. Homes here tend to be larger, with significant square footage and high-quality finishes, and the wooded setting gives the neighborhood a sense of permanence and quiet that buyers consistently respond to.

Prices in Green Tree Farms generally run from the high $600s into the $1.3M range, with significant variation based on lot size, age, and renovation status. The neighborhood feeds into Forest Hills Eastern, making it a strong choice for families who want both school access and a distinctive living environment.

Catamount: Gated, Established, and Quietly Competitive

Catamount is Ada Township's only gated community — approximately 90 homes behind two gated entrances, with cedar shake and brick construction that gives the neighborhood a cohesive, established aesthetic. Homes here were built primarily in the 1990s and early 2000s, and many have been significantly updated since. The combination of gated access, mature landscaping, and Forest Hills Eastern school access makes Catamount consistently competitive.

Prices typically range from the high $500s to $1.5M depending on size and condition. The neighborhood feeds into Knapp Forest Elementary and Forest Hills Eastern High School. For buyers who want a sense of community, established landscaping, and the security of a gated entrance, Catamount is worth a close look.

Cascade Township: Forest Hills Northern Country

Cascade Township sits to the south of Ada and feeds primarily into Forest Hills Northern High School rather than Eastern. Northern has its own strong academic and athletic programs, and for many families the distinction between Eastern and Northern is less important than the access to the Forest Hills district overall.

Cascade offers a range of housing from established subdivisions to newer construction, with prices generally running from the mid-$400s into the $1.2M range. The area has strong retail and restaurant access — AK Rikks, Thornapple Brewery, Noto's, and easy access to 28th Street — and the commute to downtown Grand Rapids is straightforward.

For buyers who want Forest Hills school access at a somewhat broader price range, or who prefer the Cascade Township character, this is a strong option.

Forest Hills Central: The Northwest Corner

The western and northern portions of the Forest Hills district feed into Forest Hills Central High School, which covers portions of Grand Rapids Township and the areas closer to the city. Central has strong programs and a slightly different demographic character than Eastern or Northern, drawing from a mix of established neighborhoods and newer development.

For buyers whose work or lifestyle centers on the north side of Grand Rapids, the Central feeder neighborhoods offer Forest Hills access with a different geographic orientation.

What This Means for Buyers

If Forest Hills school access is a priority, the practical advice is this: confirm the specific school assignment for any property you are seriously considering. District boundaries are precise, and a home that appears to be in the Forest Hills area may feed into a different district depending on its exact location. Your agent should be able to confirm this for any address.

Beyond school assignment, the neighborhoods within the Forest Hills district vary meaningfully in character, price range, and what they offer day-to-day. Ada Village, Green Tree Farms, Catamount, and Cascade each have a distinct feel, and the right choice depends on what matters most to your family — walkability, privacy, community, price point, or some combination.

House of Copper Fox specializes in exactly this market. We know these neighborhoods, we know the schools, and we know what separates a home that holds its value from one that does not. If you are searching for a home in the Forest Hills district, we would welcome the conversation.

Related reading: Ada vs. Cascade vs. Forest Hills for Families Relocating | Green Tree Farms Market Update | Catamount Market Update | How to Buy a Home in This Area