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Walker Middle Magnet School

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

37^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 97% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Walker Middle Magnet School in Odessa, FL, is a high-performing public magnet school serving 1,039 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Hillsborough district, and it has earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for ten consecutive years, placing it in the top 5% of Florida middle schools.

Walker stands out dramatically from nearby schools in academic performance and student engagement. Its test scores are consistently 30 to 60 percentage points higher than lower-performing neighbors like Webb Middle School and Buchanan Middle School—for example, 80% of Walker’s 8th graders were proficient in science compared to just 28% at Buchanan. The school also has an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 11.6%, which is less than half the rate of the next best nearby school, Martinez Middle School (16.0%), and a fraction of the rates at struggling schools like Buchanan (51.7%). Interestingly, Walker achieves these results with lower per-student spending ($9,692) than several lower-performing schools, such as Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School ($11,712), suggesting efficient use of resources.

One notable pattern is a universal "7th grade math dip" seen across nearly all area schools, including Walker, where math proficiency drops from 95% in 6th grade to around 52% in 7th grade before rebounding in 8th grade. This suggests a challenging curriculum transition rather than a school-specific issue. Overall, Walker’s consistent excellence over the past decade, combined with a declining poverty rate (now 20.89%) and improving attendance, paints a picture of a school on a positive trajectory. While Martinez Middle School is a strong peer, Walker holds a slight edge in recent test scores, making it a top choice for families seeking a rigorous academic environment in the Odessa area.

1,039

Students ?

20.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,692

Per pupil spending ?

20.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8282 N Mobley Rd
Odessa, FL 33556

(813) 631-4726

District: Hillsborough

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.9%

Hispanic:

35.5%

Asian:

13.4%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Walker Middle Magnet School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 94th percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (91% vs 61% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Florida middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Hillsborough

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school91%

District avg59%

Florida avg61%

37^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 3%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 41Middle Schools in the Hillsborough

45^th of 70Hillsborough 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	92.8	37 of 1216	97.0%	★★★★★
2025	94.2	34 of 1205	97.2%	★★★★★
2024	94.2	37 of 1196	96.9%	★★★★★
2023	94.6	37 of 1177	96.9%	★★★★★
2022	93.2	50 of 1148	95.6%	★★★★★
2021	91.9	67 of 1136	94.1%	★★★★★
2019	91.5	62 of 1099	94.4%	★★★★★
2018	93.3	51 of 1035	95.1%	★★★★★
2017	92.4	61 of 1031	94.1%	★★★★★
2016	91.5	59 of 997	94.1%	★★★★★
2014	91.7	49 of 999	95.1%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry100%+44 vs state

Algebra 198%+35 vs state

Math96%+36 vs state

Civics94%+17 vs state

English Language Arts88%+27 vs state

Science80%+28 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, October 28, 2022

My son attended Walker from 2019-2022. Walker Middle Magnet is an excellent learning environment for students committed to achieving academic excellence. Walker Middle truly prepares its students for high school life. Students are pushed to challenge themselves in their academics and extracurriculars activities. Mrs. Holloway does an excellent job running the show and communicating with parents. Her all-star team of teachers were always very prepared and offered a supportive learning environment to their students. My son made wonderful friends and he has great memories from his time at Walker. Close Quote

by a student
Thursday, August 27, 2020

horrible.

Schools Near Walker Middle Magnet School

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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
Walker Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	8282 N Mobley Rd	Odessa	33556	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	No	(813) 631-4726	1,039	50	20.8	20.9%	415 (39.9%)	37 (3.6%)	369 (35.5%)	139 (13.4%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	72 (6.9%)	92.8	37^th of 1216 public middle schools	97.0%		94.2	34^th of 1205 public middle schools	97.2%	3	87.0	87.0	90.0	95.0		97.0	80.0	98.0	100.0	94.0	$9,692	$771	$8,920
Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School	Public	6-8	14303 Citrus Pointe Dr	Tampa	33625	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 792-5125	595	31	18.9	51.4%	101 (17.0%)	38 (6.4%)	396 (66.6%)	37 (6.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.7%)	40.8	759^th of 1216 public middle schools	37.6%		52.4	558^th of 1205 public middle schools	53.7%	201	44.0	59.0	54.0	50.0	24.0	67.0	47.0	91.0	92.0	68.0	$11,712	$1,440	$10,272
Hill Middle School	Public	6-8	5200 Ehrlich Rd	Tampa	33624	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 975-7325	820	42	19.3	42.2%	215 (26.2%)	72 (8.8%)	463 (56.5%)	29 (3.5%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	38 (4.6%)	46.6	671^st of 1216 public middle schools	44.8%		46	658^th of 1205 public middle schools	45.4%	13	58.0	50.0	57.0	58.0	27.0	71.0	53.0	88.0		77.0	$10,348	$1,137	$9,210
Davidsen Middle School	Public	6-8	10501 Montague St	Tampa	33626	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 558-5300	969	45	21.7	48.8%	193 (19.9%)	44 (4.5%)	673 (69.5%)	35 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	23 (2.4%)	36.3	828^th of 1216 public middle schools	31.9%		30.6	880^th of 1205 public middle schools	27.0%	52	51.0	54.0	46.0	50.0	32.0	60.0	46.0	88.0	94.0	64.0	$9,773	$1,333	$8,439
Martinez Middle School	Public	6-8	5601 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd	Lutz	33558	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 558-1190	1,104	50	22.2	15.9%	605 (54.8%)	37 (3.4%)	257 (23.3%)	126 (11.4%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	75 (6.8%)	90.2	69^th of 1216 public middle schools	94.3%		91.2	64^th of 1205 public middle schools	94.7%	5	83.0	86.0	83.0	90.0	67.0	92.0	81.0	99.0		96.0	$8,592	$530	$8,063
Farnell Middle School	Public	6-8	13912 Nine Eagles Dr	Tampa	33626	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 356-1640	1,184	50	23.7	20.9%	602 (50.8%)	50 (4.2%)	289 (24.4%)	158 (13.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	83 (7.0%)	81.7	174^th of 1216 public middle schools	85.7%		82	187^th of 1205 public middle schools	84.5%	13	82.0	78.0	71.0	81.0	50.0	85.0	73.0	97.0	100.0	89.0	$8,235	$527	$7,708
Buchanan Middle School	Public	6-8	1001 W Bearss Ave	Tampa	33613	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7600	928	41	22.4	62.7%	86 (9.3%)	222 (23.9%)	571 (61.5%)	13 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (3.7%)	15.8	1082^nd of 1216 public middle schools	11.0%		17.7	1038^th of 1205 public middle schools	13.9%	44	31.0	36.0	31.0	41.0	24.0	48.0	28.0	65.0		40.0	$9,574	$1,286	$8,288
East Lake Middle School Academy Of Engineering	Public, Magnet	6-8	1200 Silver Eagle Dr	Tarpon Springs	34688	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 942-5419	392	20	19.6	11.2%	304 (77.6%)	9 (2.3%)	48 (12.2%)	17 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.6%)	90.7	61^st of 1216 public middle schools	95.0%		92.1	52^nd of 1205 public middle schools	95.7%	9	84.0	88.0	88.0	80.0		92.0	91.0	90.0	100.0	97.0	$9,772	$238	$9,533
Webb Middle School	Public	6-8	6035 Hanley Rd	Tampa	33634	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 872-5351	782	34	23.3	62.0%	43 (5.5%)	50 (6.4%)	658 (84.1%)	11 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.6%)	20.9	1027^th of 1216 public middle schools	15.5%		21.1	987^th of 1205 public middle schools	18.1%	40	39.0	24.0	44.0	39.0	21.0	46.0	42.0	92.0		42.0	$9,344	$1,401	$7,942
Charles S. Rushe Middle School	Public	6-8	18654 Mentmore Blvd	Land O Lakes	34638	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-1200	1,365	72	19.0	17.1%	742 (54.4%)	68 (5.0%)	360 (26.4%)	105 (7.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	89 (6.5%)	66.5	371^st of 1216 public middle schools	69.5%		67.8	347^th of 1205 public middle schools	71.2%	24	71.0	72.0	66.0	66.0	27.0	76.0	57.0	84.0	91.0	86.0	$8,394	$254	$8,141

Frequently Asked Questions about Walker Middle Magnet School

Is Walker Middle Magnet School a good school?

Yes! Walker Middle Magnet School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 37^th of 1216 Florida middle schools.

What district is Walker Middle Magnet School in?

Hillsborough

What is the racial makeup of Walker Middle Magnet School?

Students at Walker Middle Magnet School are 40% White, 36% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 7% Two or more races, 4% African American.

How many students attend Walker Middle Magnet School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,039 students attended Walker Middle Magnet School.

Rate Walker Middle Magnet School!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.