Average
#2904 of 3,777 schools in FL
Forest High School
High School · MARION
5000 SE MARICAMP RD, Ocala, FL 34480
Enrollment
2,383
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,383
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ocala
#30 of 39
public schools
Florida high schools
#384 of 748
In district
#43 of 58
MARION
About Forest High School
Forest High School serves 2,383 students in grades 9-12 in Ocala, Florida, operating as a large public high school in Marion County. With 101 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1, reflecting the size and scope of this comprehensive high school. Academically, Forest High School has room for growth, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 47th percentile among Florida high schools.
The school's academic score of 6.3 out of 10 indicates ongoing efforts to strengthen student achievement. In English Language Arts and Reading, 56% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels, suggesting areas where continued focus on literacy development could benefit students. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $71,410 and the median home value is $237,100.
About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.6%, indicating a middle-class neighborhood environment. Forest High School sits in the heart of Ocala's mid-size suburban setting, serving families in a growing community that balances residential comfort with educational opportunity.
What Parents Should Know
Forest High School is a large school with 2,383 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Forest High School is 23.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Forest High School — Students at Forest High School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.
How Forest High School Compares
See how Forest High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 36% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 54% (2021).
Location
5000 SE MARICAMP RD, Ocala, FL 34480
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MARION TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (rated 6.1/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HILLCREST (rated 5.4/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SILVER RIVER MENTORING AND INSTRUCTION (rated 5.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ocala, see our Ocala schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SILVER RIVER MENTORING AND INSTRUCTION Ocala | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| MAPLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| OCALI CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| OCALA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocala | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| ST PAULS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ocala | 2.6 mi | — |
| HILLCREST Ocala | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| WARD-HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 2.9 mi | 8.6 |
| LEGACY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| MARION CHARTER SCHOOL Ocala | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| OCALA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Ocala | 3.4 mi | — |
| OCALA CHRISTIAN LEARNING ACADEMY INC. Ocala | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| CROSSROADS ACADEMY Ocala | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| GREENWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| SOUTH OCALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| MONTESSORI PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OCALA Ocala | 3.9 mi | 7.6 |
| BELLEVIEW-SANTOS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belleview | 4.2 mi | 6.4 |
| THE CORNERSTONE SCHOOL Ocala | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ocala | 3.9 mi | 7.3 |
| MARION TECHNICAL INSTITUTE Ocala | 4.1 mi | 6.1 |
| MARION COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMY Ocala | 4.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34480 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,334
Median Home Value
$248,400
Median Rent
$1,238/mo
Population
23,749
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
77.9%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest High School has a median household income of $75,334. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,400, with a median rent of $1,238/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL | 5.3 |
| CITRUS HIGH SCHOOL Inverness, FL | 5.3 |
| CYPRESS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Wesley Chapel, FL | 5.3 |
| DOWNTOWN DORAL CHARTER UPPER SCHOOL Doral, FL | 5.3 |
| LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Wales, FL | 5.3 |
| SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest High School
What grades does Forest High School serve?
Forest High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Forest High School?
Forest High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,383 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest High School is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest High School rank in FL?
Forest High School is ranked #2904 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Forest High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest High School has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Forest High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest High School has 42.0% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest High School a charter school?
No, Forest High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest High School a Title I school?
No, Forest High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest High School?
41.5% of students at Forest High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,383
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 101
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (352) 671-4700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MARION- District Enrollment
- 45,547
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,180
- District Rank
- #43 of 58
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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