Summary:
In zip code 34473, there is one middle school, Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks, serving grades 6 through 8 in Ocala, Florida, with a large enrollment of 1,260 students and a high level of economic disadvantage, as 60.24% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Horizon Academy At Marion Oaks is part of the Marion County school district, which ranks in the bottom 10th percentile of Florida districts. The school itself holds a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, placing it in the bottom quarter of Florida middle schools, though its state ranking has shown a slight upward trend over three years. The most critical issue is a chronic absenteeism rate of 44.8%, far exceeding the district average of 35.2% and the state average of 31.4%, which likely drives its low test scores. Core subject proficiency for the 2025-2026 school year is below district and state averages: ELA averages 45% proficient, math averages 37.7%, 8th-grade science is at 35%, and civics is at 59%. The student-teacher ratio is 20:1, and per-student spending is $9,514.
A standout finding is the school's Geometry EOC program, where 100% of tested students achieved proficiency in both the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, dramatically outperforming district and state averages. This contrasts sharply with overall math performance, such as 6th-grade math proficiency dropping to just 18% in one year. The school also shows inconsistent year-over-year results, like 6th-grade math swinging from 18% to 36% proficiency, suggesting curriculum or cohort challenges. While the advanced math program is a clear strength, the school's core academic struggles and high absenteeism indicate that improving attendance is the most urgent priority for raising overall performance.
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