Public schools in Ocala, FL
46 open public schools with an address in Ocala, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
46
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
30,193
42 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
17.6:1
Florida median 16.8:1
Charter schools
4
11 magnet · 2 virtual
An overview of Ocala public schools
The federal directory lists 46 public schools in Ocala, FL: 26 elementary, 6 middle, 10 high, 4 combined or other. The 42 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 30,193 students, an average of 719 per school. The largest campus is West Port High School (3,022 students), and the largest elementary school is Sunrise Elementary School (1,402).
Every listed school belongs to Marion. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 17.6:1, similar to the statewide school median of 16.8:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 4 charter schools, 11 magnet schools, 2 virtual schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 6 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 4 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 1 of 9 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 55% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Ocala
Elementary schools in Ocala
26Middle schools in Ocala
6| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort King Middle School Marion | 06–08 | 918 | 19.5:1 | |
| Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks Marion · Magnet | 06–08 | 1,260 | 20:1 | |
| Howard Middle School Marion · Magnet | 06–08 | 917 | 18.7:1 | |
| Liberty Middle School Marion | 06–08 | 1,171 | 18.3:1 | |
| Ocali Charter Middle School Marion · Charter | 06–08 | 194 | 16.2:1 | |
| Osceola Middle School Marion | 06–08 | 866 | 19.2:1 |
High schools in Ocala
10| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest High School Marion · Magnet | 09–12 | 2,387 | 24.1:1 | |
| Hillcrest Marion · Special Education School | 06–12 | 162 | 5.6:1 | |
| Lake Weir High School Marion · Magnet | 09–12 | 1,447 | 20.1:1 | |
| Marion County Acceleration Academy Marion · Alternative School | 08–12 | 304 | 60.8:1 | |
| McSo Adults Marion · Alternative School | 09–12 | 10 | — | |
| Ocali Charter High School Marion · Charter | 09–12 | 116 | 16.6:1 | |
| Pace Center for Girls Inc. Marion · Alternative School | 06–12 | 40 | — | |
| South Marion High School Marion | 09–12 | — | — | |
| Vanguard High School Marion · Magnet | 09–12 | 1,684 | 22.2:1 | |
| West Port High School Marion · Magnet | 09–12 | 3,022 | 25.2:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Ocala
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeway Academy Marion · Magnet · Alternative School | KG–12 | — | — | |
| ELC PK Ese Services Marion · Special Education School | PK–PK | 12 | — | |
| Marion Reg. Juvenile Detention Center Marion · Alternative School | 04–12 | 94 | — | |
| Marion Virtual Franchise Marion · Virtual | KG–12 | 0 | — |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White36.1%
- Hispanic32.8%
- Black22.6%
- Asian2.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial5.7%
Enrollment-weighted across 40 Ocala schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (30,193 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Ocala
How many public schools are in Ocala, FL?
The current NCES directory lists 46 open public schools with a location address in Ocala: 26 elementary, 6 middle, 10 high, 4 combined or other. Together they reported 30,193 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Ocala?
All listed public schools with an address in Ocala belong to Marion. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Ocala?
West Port High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Ocala, with 3,022 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Ocala?
Yes. 4 of the 46 public schools in Ocala are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Ina A.colen Academy, Marion Charter School, Ocali Charter High School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Ocala schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Ocala public schools is 17.6:1, similar to the Florida school median of 16.8:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Ocala guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Florida cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Florida cities