How strong are the public middle schools in Ocala?
With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.
Fort King Middle School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Ocala, rising from a C+ to a B-, according to data from Niche.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 545 N.E. 17th Ave., enrolls 1,082 students. Niche graded the school a B- for academics (on an A-D scale).
The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.
Academically, 48% of Fort King Middle School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 43% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 52% in math and 50% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 75% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks saw its overall rating increase from a C to a C+. The school is located at 365 Marion Oaks Drive and is a bit smaller, currently serving 849 students.
Niche graded Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks a C for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 33%, and reading proficiency was 40%. It also serves a less-affluent population, with 86% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
While some public middle schools in Ocala are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:
- Osceola Middle School, with an overall rating of B+.
- Howard Middle School, with a B rating overall.
- Liberty Middle School, rated B- overall.
Want more of the latest intel on Ocala schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public high schools.
This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.
