Middle Schools in Flagler

The two public middle schools in Flagler County, Florida—Indian Trails Middle School and Buddy Taylor Middle School—serve grades 6 through 8 and are part of a district ranked 14th out of 70 in Florida, earning a 4-star rating. Indian Trails Middle School stands out as the higher-performing school, ranking 360th in the state (70th percentile, 4 stars) compared to Buddy Taylor Middle School’s 564th place (54th percentile, 3 stars). This gap is reflected in academic proficiency: Indian Trails averages about 73% proficiency across all tests for the 2025-2026 school year, while Buddy Taylor averages 67%. Both schools have improved their state rankings and scores over the past year, showing positive momentum for the district.

Key metrics reveal interesting contrasts. Buddy Taylor Middle School spends $1,173 more per student ($9,869 vs. $8,696) and has a higher student-teacher ratio (21.1:1 vs. 19.6:1) than Indian Trails, yet Indian Trails achieves better academic results with less funding and smaller classes. Additionally, Indian Trails has a higher chronic absenteeism rate (27.2%) than Buddy Taylor (18.8%), which is unusual for a top-performing school. This suggests that the students who attend regularly at Indian Trails are exceptionally high-achieving, or that the school has effective support systems for absent students. Both schools excel in advanced math courses, with proficiency rates often exceeding 90%, but Indian Trails consistently outperforms Buddy Taylor in standard grade-level subjects by 5 to 18 percentage points.

For parents, the choice between these schools may hinge on specific priorities. Indian Trails Middle School offers stronger overall academic performance and a lower student-teacher ratio, making it a standout for families focused on rigorous academics. Buddy Taylor Middle School, while lower-ranked, still performs well above average and has a lower chronic absenteeism rate, which may appeal to families concerned about consistent attendance. Both schools are on an upward trajectory, reflecting the strength of the Flagler district as a whole.