Cardinal Forest is a friendly neighborhood school located in a culturally rich community of apartments, town homes, and single-family dwellings. The diverse population includes students from more than 35 different countries. The school is convenient to many Springfield businesses and takes great pride in working closely with its business partners.

The mission of the school is to foster positive human relations and a spirit of cooperation and caring. As a community of caring school, staff members engage in many different community events, including a monthly family evening night.

A very active PTA pledges many hours each year to volunteer work within the school.

Cardinal Forest's school plan emphasizes development of reading comprehension skills, effective writing skills, and a strong mathematics approach that connects knowledge of number operations and problem-solving skills with their application in the real world. Science knowledge is developed through a hands-on approach. Social science is emphasized through a focus on core curriculum as well as opportunities to extend knowledge through off-campus field trip experiences.

Students with special needs, such as English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and students with disabilities, receive instruction both within an inclusive setting and/or in special classroom settings as appropriate. Interested students may participate in a school band or strings program, drama club, art club, and a before-school PTA-sponsored foreign language program. Students who show particular skills academically may receive gifted and talented services.

Cardinal Forest Elementary School takes pride in its students and in empowering them to meet the challenges of the new millennium