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Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

1009^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 17% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks is a large middle school in Ocala, Florida, serving 1,260 students in grades 6-8 within the Marion district, where over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most pressing issue at Horizon Academy is a severe chronic absenteeism crisis. In the 2023-2024 school year, 44.8% of students were chronically absent—nearly 10 percentage points higher than the district average and 13 points above the state average. This rate is far worse than nearby Liberty Middle School (26.8%) and Osceola Middle School (30.3%), both of which also serve similar student populations but achieve much stronger academic results. The school also has a high student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1, which is larger than many peers like Dunnellon Middle School (17.3:1) and Howard Middle School (18.7:1).

Academically, the school shows a stark split. While 81% of students passed the Algebra 1 EOC and 100% passed Geometry—outperforming district and state averages—grade-level math proficiency is very low, with only 36-41% of students meeting standards. English Language Arts scores are also declining, with 8th-grade proficiency at 42%, which is 18 points below the state average. This pattern suggests the school effectively accelerates a small group of students into advanced math but struggles to support the majority in foundational skills. The school's state ranking has dropped from the 30th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 17th percentile in 2025-2026, and per-student spending ($9,514) is in the middle range compared to nearby schools, indicating that resource allocation and attendance are the key areas needing attention.

1,260

Students ?

20.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,514

Per pupil spending ?

60.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

365 Marion Oaks Dr
Ocala, FL 34473

(352) 671-6290

District: Marion

Students who attend Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks usually attend:

High:

Dunnellon High School

Feeder schools for Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks:

Elementary:	Marion Oaks Elementary School
	Sunrise Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

50.8%

African American:

23.7%

White:

19.4%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 26th percentile in 2016 → 17th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (45% vs 61% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (17th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (45% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg51%

Florida avg61%

1,009^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 17%▼ down 9 pts since 2016

From bottom 26% (2016) to bottom 17% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^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	22.4	1009 of 1216	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.7	968 of 1205	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.4	886 of 1196	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.1	828 of 1177	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.9	884 of 1148	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.5	849 of 1136	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.9	795 of 1099	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.2	789 of 1035	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	26.1	771 of 1031	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	27.7	734 of 997	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	35.8	644 of 999	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	39.2	603 of 956	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2012	41.4	550 of 897	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	41.2	569 of 891	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	35.7	586 of 839	30.2%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry100%+44 vs state

Algebra 181%+18 vs state

Civics59%-18 vs state

English Language Arts45%-16 vs state

Math38%-21 vs state

Science35%-17 vs state

4.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, February 11, 2022

All three of my children have attended Horizon Academy and excelled. My two oldest children went on to high school ahead of the game with several high school credits and my youngest daughter is still at Horizon in their advanced programs on track to receive 2 high school math credits (Alegbra 1 & Geometry), 2 high school science credits (1 Ag Science 1 Physical Science), High school language arts, and possibly Business, Art, or Heath occupations high school credits. There are many opportunities for students at Horizon and Lots of good teachers and staff seeking to put the effort in to make it a great experience. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, January 4, 2018

New administration has made a positive impact at Horizon. Staff members are friendly and are willing to address personal and academic issues that any student may have that interferes with tbeir learning. Sports are offered in school which students are eager to join. For the first time this year 2017 It has a magna program that gives the children above average to excellerate academically. Overall Horizon is moving in the right direction to become an A school soon. Proud of all the staff efforts. Close Quote

Schools Near Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks

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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Inverness Middle School	Public	6-8	1950 Highway 41 N	Inverness	34450	Citrus County	Citrus	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 726-1471	911	58	15.7	47.4%	711 (78.0%)	40 (4.4%)	83 (9.1%)	17 (1.9%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (6.3%)	37.2	819^th of 1216 public middle schools	32.6%		39.2	758^th of 1205 public middle schools	37.1%	61	47.0	53.0	48.0	32.0	59.0	69.0	39.0	99.0	100.0	68.0	$11,263	$967	$10,295
Citrus Springs Middle School	Public	6-8	150 W Citrus Springs Blvd	Citrus Springs	34434	Citrus County	Citrus	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 344-2244	752	43	17.6	44.5%	522 (69.4%)	44 (5.9%)	111 (14.8%)	17 (2.3%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (7.2%)	53.8	559^th of 1216 public middle schools	54.0%		55.7	513^th of 1205 public middle schools	57.4%	46	58.0	59.0	68.0	36.0	53.0	73.0	62.0	99.0	100.0	71.0	$10,761	$1,093	$9,667

Frequently Asked Questions about Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks

What is the racial makeup of Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks?

Students at Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks are 51% Hispanic, 24% African American, 19% White, 5% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,260 students attended Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks.

What high school do graduates of Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks attend?

Students who attend Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks usually go on to attend Dunnellon High School

What district is Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks in?

Marion

Is Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks a good school?

Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks ranks in the bottom 17.0% of Florida middle schools.

Rate Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks!

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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.