Best Schools in Ocala, Florida
63 schools · 32 Elementary · 6 Middle · 14 High · 11 Other
Choosing a school in Ocala?
Use this page to compare every school in Ocala by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Marion Charter School
Elementary · Marion. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ward-Highlands Elementary School
Elementary · Marion. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
Elementary · Marion. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ocala for 2026 are Marion Charter School (8.9/10), Ward-Highlands Elementary School (8.0/10), and Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 37 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
63
42 public · 21 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$218,164
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
63
42 public · 21 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$218,164
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.9/10 despite 68% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Ocala schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Ocala
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 37 rated schools; 63 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marion Charter School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Ward-Highlands Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts | 8.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Sunrise Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Maplewood Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Oakcrest Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Osceola Middle School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Fessenden Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Ocala Springs Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Saddlewood Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $59,945
- Median home value
- $218,164
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ocala compares
Florida rank
#228 of 286
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below Florida avg (6.3)
Median household income
$60k
80% of Florida median
Schools in this city
56
Education Snapshot
Ocala, FloridaOcala's public school system sits entirely within a single district, which operates all 66 of the city's schools. That supply breaks down as 32 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 13 high schools, and 15 other or combined programs, enrolling approximately 34,052 students in total. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.7/10, drawn from 56 scored schools, falls below the Florida state average of 6.3/10 — a 0.6-point deficit that aligns with Ocala's economic profile. Median household income of $58,698 runs 22% below the Florida median of $75,487, and 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. School-choice alternatives are scarce: only 3 charter schools operate in the city, meaning the single district controls the vast majority of public school options. Parents evaluating Ocala against Florida statewide benchmarks should note that both the composite rating and the median income track below state averages.
Marion runs Ocala's public schools
42 public schools. Marion is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Ocala is a Marion school (42 of 42).
Among 37 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.0 to 8.9 — the spread is inside Ocala, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Ocala, Florida
Ocala's public school landscape spans 39 ranked schools with an average score of 6.3 out of 10 — a workable baseline for a mid-size Florida city. The spread matters: 10 of those 39 schools, or 26%, score 7 or above, meaning parents willing to research their options will find genuine standouts. Performance is not evenly distributed, so school selection carries real weight here.
The elementary tier is where Ocala's strongest performers concentrate. Eighth Street Elementary leads the city with a 9.3 out of 10 — the highest score in the ranked pool and a clear outlier above the citywide average. Maplewood Elementary follows at 8.8, and Ina A. Colen Academy checks in at 8.6. Ward-Highlands Elementary (8.4) and Fordham Early Learning Academy (7.7) round out the top five, each clearing the 7-point mark that places them in the city's upper quarter. All five of the city's top-rated schools are at the elementary level, a concentration that matters most for families with younger children.
The gap between the top tier and the citywide mean is significant. A family landing near the 6.3 average is looking at a materially different academic environment than those zoned to Eighth Street or Maplewood. Don't assume a neighborhood school falls in the high-performing group — check individual school scores before committing to an address.
For families still in the search phase, Ocala's elementary landscape is the clearest strength to build around. Families with middle or high school-age students should dig into school-specific profiles, since the strong elementary density doesn't guarantee the same concentration of high performers at upper grade levels. Use the 39 ranked schools as a starting filter, then confirm attendance boundaries and program details directly with the district before making a final call.
Elementary Schools
32 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 230 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 911 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 468 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 4 | 1,275 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 5 | 129 students · Pre-K–2nd | 7.4 |
| 6 | 836 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 7 | 555 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 8 | 431 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 9 | 712 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 10 | 1,000 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
Show all 32 elementary schools in Ocala
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 915 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 1,184 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
| 3 | 891 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 4 | 194 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 5 | 993 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 6 | 1,112 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
High Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,634 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
| 2 | 2,383 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 3 | 38 students · 6th–12th | 5.4 |
| 4 | 2,997 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
| 5 | 161 students · 6th–12th | 4.7 |
| 6 | 111 students · 8th–12th | 4.6 |
| 7 | 63 students · 6th–12th | 4.2 |
| 8 | 68 students · 7th–12th | 4.2 |
| 9 | 1,426 students · 9th–12th | 3.3 |
| 10 | 186 students · 6th–12th | 2.8 |
Show all 14 high schools in Ocala
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 2 | 27 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
Private Schools9 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Crossroads AcademyPrivate 114 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Ambleside OcalaPrivate 201 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 444 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 37 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Meadowbrook AcademyPrivate 288 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Ocala Christian AcademyPrivate 559 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | St John Lutheran SchoolPrivate 443 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | Redeemer Christian SchoolPrivate 496 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 other schools in Ocala
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Ocala
Ocala, Florida · 63 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 11 ZIP codes
Median Income
$59,945
Median Home Value
$218,164
Median Rent
$1,206/mo
Population
253,459
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Community Profile
Ocala has a median household income of $59,945. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $218,164, with a median rent of $1,206/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Florida
- Elementary
- 32
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 14
- Other
- 11
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Florida
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ocala, Florida
How many schools are in Ocala, Florida?
Ocala has 63 schools, including 42 public and 21 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ocala, Florida?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ocala is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Ocala, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Ocala on MySchoolScout is Marion Charter School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ocala, Florida?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ocala on MySchoolScout is Marion Charter School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Ocala, Florida?
The top-ranked middle school in Ocala on MySchoolScout is Osceola Middle School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Ocala, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Ocala on MySchoolScout is Vanguard High School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Ocala, Florida?
Ocala is served by 1 school district: Marion.
What is the education level in Ocala, Florida?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Ocala have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ocala, Florida?
The median household income in Ocala is approximately $59,945 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ocala, Florida?
Yes, Ocala has 21 private schools alongside 42 public schools. The top-rated private school is Montessori Preparatory School of Ocala with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ocala, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ocala is 16.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ocala, Florida?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Florida Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.