Serving 917 students in grades 6-8, Howard Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 51% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 48% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Florida state average of 66% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 917 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 73%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in FL
- Math Proficiency: 51% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 48% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 45% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Howard Middle School serves the west part of Ocala, FL, covering an attendance area of approximately 67.3 square miles. Families in this zone can typically expect a drive of 15-20 minutes to the school, with an average distance of 7.8 miles from the school to the zone's edge, and the furthest point being 16.2 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Howard Middle School's student population of 917 students has declined by 14% over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
917 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Howard Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,662 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Howard Middle School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1868 out of 3662 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
52%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
52%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
52%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
7%
3%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
25%
38%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
36%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
27%
34%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)38.1%
33.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
49%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
4%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Howard Middle School's ranking?
Howard Middle School is ranked #1868 out of 3,662 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Howard Middle School often compared to?
Howard Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Osceola Middle School, Fort King Middle School, North Marion Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
51% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 48% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
How many students attend Howard Middle School?
917 students attend Howard Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of Howard Middle School students are Black, 27% of students are White, 25% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Asian, and 5% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Howard Middle School?
Howard Middle School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Howard Middle School offer ?
Howard Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Howard Middle School part of?
Howard Middle School is part of Marion School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
I say this with a resounding "!!!!!!" and this is in light of all the opportunity and academic programs and opportunity's your website says you offer. Being a combat veteran of the U.S Navy and Army for a combined 20 years service, I have come to know certain things as being a constant and a must if you wish to run any organization or group with any level of professionalism and productivity. Most of this is gauged by how you manage the lowest or smallest increment of that product. That is why i say i would not recommend your school. I have surfed your site for an hour and seen all you talk about and boast and your fine points and accalades or reasons a person should enroll their child. In all your self gratifying and edifying you missed one thing or covered it so well in hyperbole that it would take to much time to find. The item i speak of is you "Recommended School Supply List" What is the child to bring in way of school supplys. Where have you hidden this on your website or is it not there at all. If this is normal practice..fine then put it out there where it can be found so a parent (new or otherwise) won't spend uneccesary time looking over your pages of blow harding to find nothing! Get it right!...It matters not if you have the best weapon on the planet if you can't load it or know how to fire it!
5 10/10/2025
Going to Howard is an amazing experience where you learn so much and make so many long-lasting friends.
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