Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Fort King Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

956^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 21% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Fort King Middle School in Ocala, FL, serves 918 students in grades 6-8 within the Marion district, a community where 63% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has faced significant challenges, earning a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for six consecutive years, with a state ranking in the 21st percentile.

The most striking feature of Fort King is its "two schools" phenomenon. On one hand, the school achieves exceptional results in advanced math, with 100% of test-takers proficient in Algebra 1 and 95% in Geometry—far exceeding state averages. On the other hand, on-grade-level math proficiency in 6th and 7th grades (34% and 28%) lags well behind district and state averages. This creates a stark contrast within the same building. The school also struggles with a critically high chronic absenteeism rate of 46.3%, which is 15 points higher than the state average and significantly worse than nearby Osceola Middle School (30.3%), a higher-performing school just 1.33 miles away. This absenteeism rate is likely a primary driver of the school's low overall performance.

Despite these challenges, there are bright spots. Eighth-grade FAST Math proficiency (62%) actually exceeds the state average, and there has been notable improvement in Civics EOC scores, rising from 40% to 64% proficiency over three years. The school's per-student spending ($10,845) is in the middle range compared to nearby schools, suggesting that funding alone isn't the issue. For parents, the key takeaway is that Fort King offers a strong advanced math program for qualifying students, but the majority of its general education students face significant hurdles, particularly related to attendance and on-grade-level achievement. Any meaningful improvement will require aggressively addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism while extending the high standards of its advanced programs to all students.

918

Students ?

19.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,845

Per pupil spending ?

63.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

545 NE 17th Ave
Ocala, FL 34470

(352) 671-4725

District: Marion

Students who attend Fort King Middle School usually attend:

High:

Vanguard High School

Feeder schools for Fort King Middle School:

Elementary:	Ocala Springs Elementary School
	Ward-Highlands Elementary School
	Wyomina Park Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

41.0%

Hispanic:

27.8%

African American:

25.1%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Fort King Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 32nd percentile in 2016 → 21st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (48% vs 61% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (21st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (46% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school48%

District avg51%

Florida avg61%

956^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 21%▼ down 11 pts since 2016

From bottom 32% (2016) to bottom 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 10Middle Schools in the Marion

63^rd of 70Marion among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	27.0	956 of 1216	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.3	974 of 1205	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	26.0	916 of 1196	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.1	881 of 1177	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.7	809 of 1148	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	27.4	835 of 1136	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	37.7	708 of 1099	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.7	619 of 1035	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	39.5	627 of 1031	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.0	674 of 997	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	40.9	598 of 999	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	42.4	571 of 956	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2012	46.7	499 of 897	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	51.2	470 of 891	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	57.2	386 of 839	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	53.7	387 of 780	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	56.5	350 of 740	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	57.2	331 of 736	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	59.8	274 of 675	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2005	56.8	281 of 602	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	62.8	229 of 593	61.4%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Algebra 1100%+37 vs state

Geometry95%+39 vs state

Civics64%-13 vs state

English Language Arts45%-17 vs state

Math42%-16 vs state

Science42%-10 vs state

1.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

Rate Fort King Middle School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Not guiding kids any wheres but into trouble. Every teacher has attitudes and no respect for parents. They lie to you the reality is schools understaffed 2 counselors for 1100 kids is a joke thr kids that end up on probation or with records needs to be exposed. There guiding no kids there counselors are horrible and have way to large case loads. You send your kid here there leaving with a criminal record. All there doing is preppin kids for prisons and jails. No guidance given. Close Quote

Schools Near Fort King Middle School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)			FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Fort King Middle School	Public	6-8	545 NE 17th Ave	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-4725	918	47	19.5	63.3%	376 (41.0%)	230 (25.1%)	255 (27.8%)	8 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	45 (4.9%)	27	956^th of 1216 public middle schools	21.4%		22.3	974^th of 1205 public middle schools	19.2%	18	46.0	44.0	44.0	34.0	28.0	62.0	42.0	100.0	95.0	64.0	$10,845	$1,423	$9,421
Osceola Middle School	Public	6-8	526 SE Tuscawilla Ave	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	No	(352) 671-7100	866	45	19.2	38.7%	472 (54.5%)	142 (16.4%)	183 (21.1%)	13 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (6.4%)	66.3	375^th of 1216 public middle schools	69.2%		69.6	335^th of 1205 public middle schools	72.2%	40	60.0	70.0	74.0	62.0	71.0	60.0	69.0	100.0	97.0	79.0	$10,357	$1,001	$9,356
Howard Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1655 NW 10th St	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-7225	917	49	18.7	53.7%	245 (26.7%)	328 (35.8%)	230 (25.1%)	61 (6.7%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	49 (5.3%)	34.6	850^th of 1216 public middle schools	30.1%		41	736^th of 1205 public middle schools	38.9%	114	56.0	50.0	52.0	53.0	44.0	46.0	40.0	86.0	79.0	66.0	$11,313	$1,230	$10,083
Ocali Charter Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	3233 SE Maricamp Rd	Ocala	34478	Marion County	Marion	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 264-9940	194	12	16.1	49.5%	84 (43.3%)	31 (16.0%)	69 (35.6%)	3 (1.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.1%)	43.6	720^th of 1216 public middle schools	40.8%		46.5	648^th of 1205 public middle schools	46.2%	72	55.0	48.0	60.0	53.0	45.0	53.0	62.0	58.0	86.0	72.0	$9,807	$1,764	$8,043
Belleview Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	10500 SE 36th Ave	Belleview	34420	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6235	1,600	74	21.6	50.8%	784 (49.0%)	190 (11.9%)	514 (32.1%)	8 (0.5%)	4 (0.3%)	8 (0.5%)	92 (5.8%)	56.3	523^rd of 1216 public middle schools	57.0%		51.5	573^rd of 1205 public middle schools	52.4%	50	57.0	66.0	64.0	66.0	60.0	40.0	60.0	84.0	96.0	80.0	$8,718	$906	$7,812
Liberty Middle School	Public	6-8	4773 SW 95th St	Ocala	34476	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 291-7930	1,171	64	18.2	47.8%	323 (27.6%)	243 (20.8%)	460 (39.3%)	54 (4.6%)	4 (0.3%)	6 (0.5%)	81 (6.9%)	46.4	673^rd of 1216 public middle schools	44.7%		41.3	727^th of 1205 public middle schools	39.7%	54	57.0	61.0	60.0	49.0	24.0	70.0	53.0	82.0	96.0	74.0	$10,347	$1,143	$9,203
North Marion Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2085 W Highway 329	Citra	32113	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6035	738	44	16.7	62.2%	307 (41.6%)	208 (28.2%)	171 (23.2%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (6.1%)	31.1	896^th of 1216 public middle schools	26.3%		25.4	936^th of 1205 public middle schools	22.3%	40	44.0	42.0	51.0	42.0	35.0	73.0	44.0	91.0	89.0	61.0	$11,270	$1,287	$9,983
Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks	Public, Magnet	6-8	365 Marion Oaks Dr	Ocala	34473	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6290	1,260	63	20.0	60.2%	244 (19.4%)	298 (23.7%)	640 (50.8%)	13 (1.0%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	58 (4.6%)	22.4	1009^th of 1216 public middle schools	17.0%		22.7	968^th of 1205 public middle schools	19.7%	41	48.0	45.0	42.0	36.0	41.0	36.0	35.0	81.0	100.0	59.0	$9,514	$1,108	$8,405
Lake Weir Middle School	Public	6-8	10220 SE Sunset Harbor Rd	Summerfield	34491	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6120	1,141	55	20.7	66.8%	461 (40.4%)	232 (20.3%)	360 (31.6%)	12 (1.1%)	6 (0.5%)	4 (0.4%)	66 (5.8%)	21.5	1020^th of 1216 public middle schools	16.1%		22.4	973^rd of 1205 public middle schools	19.3%	47	46.0	45.0	46.0	36.0	21.0	48.0	32.0	86.0	96.0	59.0	$10,467	$1,550	$8,917

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort King Middle School

How many students attend Fort King Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 918 students attended Fort King Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Fort King Middle School attend?

Students who attend Fort King Middle School usually go on to attend Vanguard High School

What is the racial makeup of Fort King Middle School?

Students at Fort King Middle School are 41% White, 28% Hispanic, 25% African American, 5% Two or more races.

Is Fort King Middle School a good school?

Fort King Middle School ranks in the bottom 21.4% of Florida middle schools.

What district is Fort King Middle School in?

Marion

Rate Fort King Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Ocala, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Fort King Middle School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.