Excellent
#184 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 5% in state
Ward-highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · MARION
537 SE 36TH AVE, Ocala, FL 34471
Enrollment
911
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
911
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ocala
#3 of 39
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#173 of 2,196
In district
#3 of 58
MARION
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ward-highlands Elementary School
Ward-highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ocala, FL, part of the MARION. The school serves approximately 911 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95.2th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 56% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $60,283, where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
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Ward-highlands Elementary School — Students at Ward-highlands Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Ward-highlands Elementary School Compares
See how Ward-highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 58% (2019) to 60% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 55% (2021).
Location
537 SE 36TH AVE, Ocala, FL 34471
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ward-highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MAPLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is MONTESSORI PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OCALA (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WYOMINA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ocala, see our Ocala schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PAULS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ocala | 0.4 mi | — |
| OCALA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocala | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| HILLCREST Ocala | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| OCALA CHRISTIAN LEARNING ACADEMY INC. Ocala | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| OCALA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Ocala | 0.8 mi | — |
| CROSSROADS ACADEMY Ocala | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| MONTESSORI PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OCALA Ocala | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| OCALI CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| SILVER RIVER MENTORING AND INSTRUCTION Ocala | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| MAPLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| NEW LEAF CENTER Ocala | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| MARION TECHNICAL INSTITUTE Ocala | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| FORT KING MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala | 2.0 mi | 4.5 |
| MARION COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMY Ocala | 2.1 mi | — |
| FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & DAYCARE Ocala | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| WYOMINA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| SOUTH OCALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| THE CORNERSTONE SCHOOL Ocala | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ocala | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| FOREST HIGH SCHOOL Ocala | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34471 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,283
Median Home Value
$292,200
Median Rent
$1,225/mo
Population
26,031
College Educated
36.2%
Homeownership
59.3%
Avg Commute
17.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ward-highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $60,283. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,200, with a median rent of $1,225/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| ADDISON MIZNER SCHOOL Boca Raton, FL | 8.6 |
| BUCKHORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Valrico, FL | 8.6 |
| CANOE CREEK K-8 St. Cloud, FL | 8.6 |
| CARROLLWOOD K-8 SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.6 |
| CRACKER TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sebring, FL | 8.6 |
| CYPRESS WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Harbor, FL | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ward-highlands Elementary School
What grades does Ward-highlands Elementary School serve?
Ward-highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ward-highlands Elementary School?
Ward-highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 911 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ward-highlands Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ward-highlands Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ward-highlands Elementary School rank in FL?
Ward-highlands Elementary School is ranked #184 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Ward-highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ward-highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Ward-highlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ward-highlands Elementary School has 64.2% math proficiency and 56.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ward-highlands Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ward-highlands Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ward-highlands Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ward-highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ward-highlands Elementary School?
56.2% of students at Ward-highlands Elementary 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
- 14 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 10 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 28 Somewhat 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 911
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (352) 671-6810
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MARION- District Enrollment
- 45,547
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,180
- District Rank
- #3 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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