West Ocala Historic District · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5Ocala’s public schools score below 87% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
In Ocala, 43% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ocala, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ocala’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 44% in math, against 52% and 52% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,943 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ocali Charter Middle School, Blessed Trinity School (private), Ocala Christian Academy (private), Trinity Catholic High School (private), First Assembly Christian School & Daycare (private), St. John Lutheran School (private), The Cornerstone School (private), Meadowbrook Academy (private), Ambleside Ocala (private), Montessori Preparatory School of Ocala (private), St. Pauls Christian School (private), Crossroads Academy (private), Victory Academy Ocala (private), Shiloh SDA School (private), DR. D. D. Brown Christian Academy of Hope (private), Ocala Adventist Academy (private) and New Horizon Academy for Exceptional Students (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ocala’s grade
D: better than 13% of Florida school districts, #583 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ocala, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
Fort King Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 918 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Howard Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 917 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Osceola Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 866 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
Fort King Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 918 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Howard Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 917 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Osceola Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 866 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
Fort King Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 918 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Howard Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 917 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Osceola Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 866 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
West Port High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,022 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Vanguard High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,684 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
West Port High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,022 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Vanguard High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,684 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
West Port High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,022 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Vanguard High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,684 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ocala · depends on your address
West Port High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,022 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Vanguard High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,684 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Ocala’s public schools are run by Marion County School District, which also serves Belleview, Dunnellon, McIntosh and Reddick. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Ocala vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Ocala’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ocala | D | Marion County |
Every school in Ocala
34 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 7 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Student Services/Ese, Elc PK Ese Services, Marion Technical Institute, Marion Virtual Franchise, Marion Elearning, McSo Adults and Winding Oaks Elementary).
Questions about Ocala’s schools
Are Ocala’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ocala children attend score below 87% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #583 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ocala in?
Marion County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 45,972 students in 59 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ocala kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: West Port High School and Vanguard High School.
What is Ocala’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Marion County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Ocala spend per student?
$11,943 in Marion County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ocala?
Yes: Blessed Trinity School (Catholic, grades K–8, 660 students), Ocala Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 581 students), Trinity Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 540 students), First Assembly Christian School & Daycare (religious, grades PK–12, 524 students), St. John Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–12, 467 students), The Cornerstone School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 314 students), Meadowbrook Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 298 students), Ambleside Ocala (religious, grades K–12, 201 students), Montessori Preparatory School of Ocala (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 167 students), St. Pauls Christian School (religious, grades PK–K, 142 students), Crossroads Academy (special education, grades 3–12, 114 students), Victory Academy Ocala (religious, grades PK–8, 110 students), Shiloh SDA School (religious, grades K–8, 61 students), DR. D. D. Brown Christian Academy of Hope (religious, grades K–12, 37 students), Ocala Adventist Academy (religious, grades K–8, 27 students) and New Horizon Academy for Exceptional Students (special education, grades 7–11, 6 students). Ocala also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Ocala families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ocala → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.