Fessenden Elementary School

Summary:

Fessenden Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ocala, Florida, serving 417 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Marion School District, which is ranked 61 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Fessenden Elementary consistently underperforms academically compared to the Marion district and the state of Florida. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 24% of 3rd graders were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to 43% in the Marion district and 55% statewide. The school also has significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates, with 39.3% of students chronically absent in 2022-2023, compared to 30.9% in the Marion district and 15.7% statewide. Additionally, 78.9% of Fessenden students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, much higher than the state average of 67.1% and the Marion district average of 67.06%.

When compared to nearby schools, the academic performance gap becomes even more apparent. For example, Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, located just 6.69 miles away, consistently outperforms Fessenden Elementary, with 83-85% of students proficient in English Language Arts and Math. The high chronic absenteeism and socioeconomic challenges faced by Fessenden students likely contribute to the school's academic struggles, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

4200 NW 89th Pl
Ocala, FL 34482

(352) 671-4935

District: Marion

SchoolDigger Rank:
2134^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,748

Students who attend Fessenden Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	North Marion Middle School
High:	North Marion High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.5

Number of students: 431

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

35.3%

African American:

28.5%

White:

27.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 78%

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Compare Fessenden Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Fessenden Elementary School ranks worse than 94.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 31^st among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Marion School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.73. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Fessenden Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (35.3%), African American (28.5%), White (27.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 78% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fessenden Elementary School is 16.5, which is the 15^th best among 32 elementary schools in the Marion School District. (See more...)

Compare Fessenden Elementary School employs 26 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fessenden Elementary School is $10,748. 18 elementary schools in the Marion School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Fessenden Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Marion:

SchoolDigger ranks Marion 61^st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Fessenden Elementary School.

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Rank History for Fessenden Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	28.42	1245^th	1688	26.2%
2007	29.59	1324^th	1786	25.9%
2008	24.51	1425^th	1789	20.3%
2009	14.35	1661^st	1847	10.1%
2010	14.25	1741^st	1919	9.3%
2011	25.63	1572^nd	1985	20.8%
2012	23.63	1586^th	1984	20.1%
2013	31.16	1454^th	2029	28.3%
2014	14.16	1882^nd	2064	8.8%
2016	8.76	1988^th	2087	4.7%
2017	20.52	1767^th	2112	16.3%
2018	5.29	2073^rd	2118	2.1%
2019	10.18	2056^th	2182	5.8%
2021	28.79	1602^nd	2247	28.7%
2022	22.38	1781^st	2219	19.7%
2023	19.38	1919^th	2240	14.3%
2024	10.73	2134^th	2256	5.4%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Fessenden Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	286	218	1	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	515
1989	303	224	1	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	549
1990	327	245	1	21	0	n/a	n/a	0	594
1991	322	223	1	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	560
1992	329	222	3	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	566
1993	354	221	3	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	587
1994	335	223	1	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	572
1995	324	214	2	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	560
1996	324	214	2	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	560
1997	309	234	3	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	570
1998	307	224	4	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	565
1999	321	237	3	33	0	n/a	n/a	0	594
2000	287	240	2	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	567
2001	282	245	1	48	0	n/a	n/a	0	576
2002	229	210	1	69	1	n/a	n/a	0	510
2003	229	210	1	69	1	n/a	n/a	0	510
2004	226	203	3	72	3	n/a	n/a	0	507
2005	197	194	1	84	1	n/a	n/a	0	477
2006	190	184	1	77	0	n/a	n/a	0	452
2007	196	176	0	104	0	n/a	n/a	21	497
2008	194	181	0	97	0	n/a	n/a	15	487
2009	197	196	0	100	0	n/a	n/a	19	512
2010	185	162	2	107	0	n/a	n/a	14	470
2011	174	173	0	118	3	1	13	0	482
2012	157	185	0	110	5	0	24	0	481
2013	179	186	1	115	4	0	22	0	507
2014	172	171	0	122	2	0	26	0	493
2015	170	170	1	127	0	0	31	0	499
2016	162	175	2	114	1	0	29	0	483
2017	147	164	0	126	2	0	17	0	456
2018	139	152	0	131	2	0	11	0	435
2019	145	149	1	121	3	0	17	0	436
2020	134	135	1	123	1	0	18	0	412
2021	110	127	0	131	3	0	17	0	388
2022	110	123	0	134	0	0	15	0	382
2023	124	115	0	155	0	0	23	0	417
2024	120	123	2	152	0	0	34	0	431

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Fessenden Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	515	27.0	19.0	62.3
1989	549	29.0	18.9	63.6
1990	594	31.0	19.1	66.5
1991	560	32.0	17.5	53.9
1992	566	33.0	17.1	58.3
1993	587	34.0	17.3	57.1
1994	572	32.0	17.9	62.4
1995	560	30.0	18.7	64.6
1996	560	30.0	18.7	64.6
1997	570	32.0	17.8	66
1998	565	32.0	17.7	63.7
1999	594	30.0	19.8	80.6
2000	567	37.0	15.3	75.3
2001	576	36.0	16.0	83
2002	510	34.0	15.0	84.3
2003	510	34.0	15.0	84.3
2004	507	34.0	14.9	84.8
2005	477	34.0	14.0	86.8
2006	452	32.0	14.1	77.4
2007	497	32.0	15.5	81.1
2008	487	34.0	14.3	78.4
2009	512	38.7	14.6	81.9
2010	470	33.0	14.2	87.7
2011	482	36.0	13.3	78.8
2012	481	33.0	14.5	85.9
2013	507	31.0	16.3	86
2014	493	28.0	17.6	52.7
2015	499	27.0	18.4	73.1
2016	483	31.0	15.5	78.7
2017	456	28.0	16.2	77.9
2018	435	26.0	16.7	82.8
2019	436	23.0	18.9	75
2020	412	26.0	15.8	73.1
2021	388	25.0	15.5	74.2
2022	382	20.0	19.1	77.2
2023	417	19.0	21.9	78.9
2024	431	26.0	16.5	78

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Fessenden Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	515	27.0	19.0	62.3
1989	549	29.0	18.9	63.6
1990	594	31.0	19.1	66.5
1991	560	32.0	17.5	53.9
1992	566	33.0	17.1	58.3
1993	587	34.0	17.3	57.1
1994	572	32.0	17.9	62.4
1995	560	30.0	18.7	64.6
1996	560	30.0	18.7	64.6
1997	570	32.0	17.8	66
1998	565	32.0	17.7	63.7
1999	594	30.0	19.8	80.6
2000	567	37.0	15.3	75.3
2001	576	36.0	16.0	83
2002	510	34.0	15.0	84.3
2003	510	34.0	15.0	84.3
2004	507	34.0	14.9	84.8
2005	477	34.0	14.0	86.8
2006	452	32.0	14.1	77.4
2007	497	32.0	15.5	81.1
2008	487	34.0	14.3	78.4
2009	512	38.7	14.6	81.9
2010	470	33.0	14.2	87.7
2011	482	36.0	13.3	78.8
2012	481	33.0	14.5	85.9
2013	507	31.0	16.3	86
2014	493	28.0	17.6	52.7
2015	499	27.0	18.4	73.1
2016	483	31.0	15.5	78.7
2017	456	28.0	16.2	77.9
2018	435	26.0	16.7	82.8
2019	436	23.0	18.9	75
2020	412	26.0	15.8	73.1
2021	388	25.0	15.5	74.2
2022	382	20.0	19.1	77.2
2023	417	19.0	21.9	78.9
2024	431	26.0	16.5	78

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Fessenden Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$791 (9.9%)	$7,235 (90.1%)	$8,026
2019	$1,190 (12.2%)	$8,588 (87.8%)	$9,778
2020	$743 (7.2%)	$9,549 (92.8%)	$10,293
2021	$1,194 (10.1%)	$10,587 (89.9%)	$11,781
2022	$1,893 (17.5%)	$8,940 (82.5%)	$10,833
2023	$2,786 (25.9%)	$7,961 (74.1%)	$10,748

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Fessenden Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 2056^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1919^th of 2240 Elementary schools	8.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fessenden Elementary School)	24	36	12%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Marion)	44	42	2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Fessenden Elementary School)	37	40	3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Marion)	49	49
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Fessenden Elementary School)	40	56	16%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Marion)	49	50	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Fessenden Elementary School)	15	55	40%
4th Grade Mathematics (Marion)	54	58	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Fessenden Elementary School)	31	25	6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Marion)	45	43	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Fessenden Elementary School)	36	28	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Marion)	45	46	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Fessenden Elementary School)	31	35	4%
5th Grade Science (Marion)	44	43	1%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	436	417	4.4%
African American	149	115	22.8%
American Indian	3	0	100%
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	121	155	28.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	145	124	14.5%
Two or More Races	17	23	35.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	75%	78.9%	3.9%

Schools Near Fessenden Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Fessenden Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4200 NW 89th Pl	Ocala	34482	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-4935	431	26	16.5	78.0%	120 (27.8%)	123 (28.5%)	152 (35.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.9%)	10.7	2134^th of 2256 public elementary schools	5.4%		19.4	1919^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.3%	215	24.0	27.0	38.0	36.0	27.0	33.0	30.0	$10,748	$2,786	$7,961
Fordham Early Learning Academy	Public	PK, KG-2	4000 W Anthony Road	Ocala	33475	Martin County	Marion	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(352) 236-0508	129	11	11.7	56.6%	60 (46.5%)	28 (21.7%)	32 (24.8%)	4 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.9%)								(n/a)
Anthony Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9501 NE Jacksonville Rd	Anthony	32617	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6000	333	23	14.4	69.7%	167 (50.2%)	102 (30.6%)	50 (15.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.2%)	37.8	1408^th of 2256 public elementary schools	37.6%		37.1	1416^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.8%	8	34.0	59.0	27.0	52.0	68.0	33.0	52.0	$15,578	$3,075	$12,504
Reddick-Collier Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4595 W Highway 316	Reddick	32686	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6070	355	22	16.1	67.0%	116 (32.7%)	126 (35.5%)	88 (24.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	23 (6.5%)	29.4	1637^th of 2256 public elementary schools	27.4%		19.1	1930^th of 2240 public elementary schools	13.8%	293	48.0	48.0	35.0	61.0	46.0	22.0	28.0	$15,241	$2,739	$12,501
Oakcrest Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1112 NE 28th St	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6350	555	28	19.8	77.5%	132 (23.8%)	282 (50.8%)	98 (17.7%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (6.8%)	9.5	2162^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	4.2%		19.5	1912^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.6%	250	24.0	19.0	38.0	34.0	35.0	27.0	27.0	$12,950	$2,453	$10,496
Madison Street Academy Of Visual And Performing Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	401 NW Martin Luther King Jr	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 671-7250	468	35	13.3	36.5%	265 (56.6%)	70 (15.0%)	90 (19.2%)	9 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (7.1%)	93.3	84^th of 2256 public elementary schools	96.3%		90.3	165^th of 2240 public elementary schools	92.6%	81	83.0	83.0	85.0	84.0	88.0	73.0	78.0	$12,666	$1,896	$10,771
Sparr Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2525 E Hwy 329	Anthony	32617	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6060	434	27	16.0	65.4%	231 (53.2%)	94 (21.7%)	76 (17.5%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (6.7%)	38.1	1396^th of 2256 public elementary schools	38.1%		37.5	1396^th of 2240 public elementary schools	37.7%		38.0	43.0	49.0	45.0	61.0	55.0	46.0	$12,757	$2,567	$10,191
Ocala Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5757 NE 40th Avenue Rd	Ocala	34479	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6360	712	41	17.3	67.6%	348 (48.9%)	135 (19.0%)	168 (23.6%)	8 (1.1%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (7.0%)	38.4	1382^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	38.7%		40.9	1310^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.5%	72	44.0	49.0	49.0	52.0	43.0	48.0	53.0	$11,030	$1,995	$9,033
Dr N H Jones Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1900 SW 5th St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 671-7260	799	52	15.3	39.3%	256 (32.0%)	239 (29.9%)	170 (21.3%)	78 (9.8%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (6.5%)	86.9	259^th of 2256 public elementary schools	88.5%		87.6	229^th of 2240 public elementary schools	89.8%	30	67.0	85.0	79.0	67.0	80.0	83.0	77.0	$10,302	$1,567	$8,736
College Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1330 SW 33rd Ave	Ocala	34474	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 291-4040	824	45	18.3	72.8%	149 (18.1%)	202 (24.5%)	429 (52.1%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	37 (4.5%)	22.1	1844^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.3%		31.5	1566^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.1%	278	28.0	33.0	35.0	45.0	42.0	49.0	41.0	$10,244	$1,835	$8,409

Frequently Asked Questions about Fessenden Elementary School

Is Fessenden Elementary School a good school?

Fessenden Elementary School ranks in the bottom 5.4% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Fessenden Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Fessenden Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : North Marion Middle School
High : North Marion High School

What district is Fessenden Elementary School in?

Marion

What is the racial makeup of Fessenden Elementary School?

Students at Fessenden Elementary School are 35% Hispanic, 29% African American, 28% White, 8% Two or more races.

How many students attend Fessenden Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 431 students attended Fessenden Elementary School.

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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.