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Below Average

#3409 of 3,777 schools in FL

Fort King Middle School

Middle School · MARION

545 NE 17TH AVE, Ocala, FL 34470

Enrollment

993

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ocala

#38 of 39

public schools

Florida middle schools

#536 of 573

In district

#54 of 58

MARION

About Fort King Middle School

Fort King Middle School serves 993 students in grades 6 through 8 in Ocala, Florida. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for middle school learners. The school currently faces academic challenges, with room for significant growth in core subjects.

In English Language Arts and reading, 35% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while math shows similar results at 36% proficiency. These performance levels place Fort King Middle School in the 14th percentile among Florida's middle schools, indicating the school community is working to strengthen student outcomes across all grade levels. Located in Marion County's small city setting, Fort King Middle School serves a diverse community in the 34470 ZIP code area.

The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $47,098 and a median home value of $152,300, reflecting a working-class community with a 13.7% poverty rate. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a varied educational landscape for the school's families. The school sits in a community of over 20,000 residents, providing students with the benefits of small-city life while maintaining access to the educational and cultural opportunities that Ocala offers.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Fort King Middle School is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Math vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,818

Fort King Middle School — Students at Fort King Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.4%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 36.4%
School
State
51.8%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
56%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
36.3%
ELA
35.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Fort King Middle School Compares

See how Fort King Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in FL
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

545 NE 17TH AVE, Ocala, FL 34470

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort King Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. EIGHTH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OCALA (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CROSSROADS ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ocala, see our Ocala schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MARION COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMY Ocala 0.4 mi
WYOMINA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala 0.5 mi 6.7
MARION TECHNICAL INSTITUTE Ocala 0.6 mi 6.1
FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & DAYCARE Ocala 0.6 mi 6.2
NEW LEAF CENTER Ocala 1.1 mi 5.7
AMBLESIDE SCHOOL OF OCALA Ocala 1.2 mi 6.3
MONTESSORI PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OCALA Ocala 1.2 mi 7.6
ELC PK ESE SERVICES Ocala 1.2 mi
OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala 1.3 mi 6.1
EIGHTH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala 1.3 mi 9.2
VICTORY ACADEMY OCALA Ocala 1.3 mi 6.8
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS INC. Ocala 1.3 mi 5.3
OAKCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala 1.6 mi 7.0
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ocala 1.8 mi 7.3
NEW HORIZON ACADEMY FOR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS Ocala 1.9 mi
BLESSED TRINITY SCHOOL Ocala 1.9 mi 6.0
THE CORNERSTONE SCHOOL Ocala 2.0 mi 5.1
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Ocala 1.8 mi 7.4
HILLCREST Ocala 1.9 mi 5.4
OCALA CHRISTIAN LEARNING ACADEMY INC. Ocala 1.8 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 34470 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,592

Median Home Value

$171,500

Median Rent

$1,124/mo

Population

21,521

College Educated

22.7%

Homeownership

61.8%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fort King Middle School has a median household income of $49,592. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,500, with a median rent of $1,124/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BELLVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL 4.5
CHAIN OF LAKES MIDDLE Orlando, FL 4.5
DRIFTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Hollywood, FL 4.5
LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY MIDDLE Lake Worth, FL 4.5
MARGATE MIDDLE SCHOOL Margate, FL 4.5
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort King Middle School

What grades does Fort King Middle School serve?

Fort King Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Fort King Middle School?

Fort King Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 993 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort King Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort King Middle School is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort King Middle School rank in FL?

Fort King Middle School is ranked #3409 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Fort King Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort King Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fort King Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort King Middle School has 40.4% math proficiency and 36.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fort King Middle School a charter school?

No, Fort King Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fort King Middle School a Title I school?

No, Fort King Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort King Middle School?

69.2% of students at Fort King Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,553/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ocala). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
993
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Marion County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MARION
District Enrollment
45,547
Schools in District
64
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,180
District Rank
#54 of 58

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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