Average
#2905 of 3,777 schools in FL
Vanguard High School
High School · MARION
7 NW 28TH ST, Ocala, FL 34475
Enrollment
1,634
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,634
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ocala
#31 of 39
public schools
Florida high schools
#385 of 748
In district
#44 of 58
MARION
About Vanguard High School
Vanguard High School serves 1,634 students in grades 9-12 in Ocala, Florida, operating as a regular public school with 72 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,532 out of 3,816 Florida high schools, placing it in the 34th percentile statewide with room for academic growth. Currently, 48% of students demonstrate proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support.
With its substantial enrollment, Vanguard High School represents one of the larger educational institutions serving the Ocala community. The school draws from a diverse economic area where the median household income is $33,817 and nearly half of residents face economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 46.5%. The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 34475 has a median home value of $157,400 and a population of approximately 15,000 residents.
About 14% of area adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the working-class character of this Marion County community. Vanguard High School is situated in Ocala's small city environment, serving as an educational anchor in a community that values resilience and determination.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Vanguard High School is 22.7:1, 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Vanguard High School — Students at Vanguard High School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
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: 2.9/10.
How Vanguard High School Compares
See how Vanguard High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 48% (2021).
Location
7 NW 28TH ST, Ocala, FL 34475
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vanguard High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EIGHTH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FORDHAM EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MADISON STREET ACADEMY OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ocala, see our Ocala schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW HORIZON ACADEMY FOR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS Ocala | 0.8 mi | — |
| THE SONDER ACADEMY Ocala | 0.9 mi | — |
| OAKCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| FORDHAM EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Ocala | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| THE READING CLINIC Ocala | 1.1 mi | — |
| HOWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| DESTINY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Ocala | 1.7 mi | — |
| PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS INC. Ocala | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| VICTORY ACADEMY OCALA Ocala | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| WYOMINA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & DAYCARE Ocala | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| MADISON STREET ACADEMY OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Ocala | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| AMBLESIDE SCHOOL OF OCALA Ocala | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| FORT KING MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| ELC PK ESE SERVICES Ocala | 2.3 mi | — |
| DR. D. D. BROWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF HOPE Ocala | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| DR. D. D. BROWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF HOPE Ocala | 2.3 mi | 3.9 |
| MARION COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMY Ocala | 2.3 mi | — |
| OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| EIGHTH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 2.5 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34475 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,515
Median Home Value
$170,300
Median Rent
$871/mo
Population
14,812
College Educated
13.3%
Homeownership
48.4%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
42.9%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vanguard High School has a median household income of $33,515. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,300, with a median rent of $871/month. The area has a poverty rate of 42.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
| LABELLE HIGH SCHOOL Labelle, FL | 5.3 |
| LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Wales, FL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vanguard High School
What grades does Vanguard High School serve?
Vanguard High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Vanguard High School?
Vanguard High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,634 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vanguard High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Vanguard High School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vanguard High School rank in FL?
Vanguard High School is ranked #2905 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Vanguard High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Vanguard 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 Vanguard High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vanguard High School has 28.5% math proficiency and 48.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vanguard High School a charter school?
No, Vanguard High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vanguard High School a Title I school?
No, Vanguard High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vanguard High School?
58.4% of students at Vanguard 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
- Walk Score
- 24 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 52 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,553/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ocala). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,634
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (352) 671-4900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MARION- District Enrollment
- 45,547
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,180
- District Rank
- #44 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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