Marion County Schools & Education
Marion County, Florida
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
23/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,904
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
23/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#58
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Marion County
School Verdict
Marion County faces educational challenges with a school score of 23/100 and a graduation rate of 87.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,904 per pupil, Marion County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Marion County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 37% below the Florida average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Marion County, Florida
A Vast Network Serving 44,000 Students
Marion County operates 63 public schools that support a total enrollment of 44,493 students. The infrastructure includes 35 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 15 high schools across a single district.
Meeting National Graduation Standards
The county's 87.0% graduation rate perfectly matches the national average, though it trails the Florida state average of 89.8%. Investment stands at $5,904 per pupil, which is slightly below the state average of $6,118.
One District with Growing Charter Options
The Marion School District manages the entire county, including four charter schools that represent 6.3% of all institutions. This centralized system provides a uniform curriculum across all 63 local schools.
A Mix of Rural and City Campuses
Marion County features an even split of 24 rural and 24 city schools, with an average size of 729 students. West Port High School is the largest campus with 2,906 students, while Belleview Middle serves 1,573.
Find Your Home Near Top Marion Schools
Families value the variety of school settings found in Marion County, from quiet rural campuses to bustling city high schools. Consider school quality and district zoning as you explore the local real estate market.
School Overview
Total Schools
63
in Marion County
Total Enrollment
44,493
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
4
6% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Marion County
MARION
63 Public Schools in Marion County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEST PORT HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 2,906 |
| FOREST HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 2,325 |
| BELLEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 1,783 |
| VANGUARD HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 1,661 |
| BELLEVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL | MARION | 6–8 | Middle | 1,573 |
| LAKE WEIR HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 1,483 |
| LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL | MARION | 6–8 | Middle | 1,365 |
| DUNNELLON HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 1,350 |
| NORTH MARION HIGH SCHOOL | MARION | 9–12 | High | 1,303 |
| LAKE WEIR MIDDLE SCHOOL | MARION | 6–8 | Middle | 1,207 |
| FORT KING MIDDLE SCHOOL | MARION | 6–8 | Middle | 1,092 |
| HORIZON ACADEMY AT MARION OAKS | MARION | 5–8 | Middle | 1,067 |
| SUNRISE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MARION | PK–4 | Primary | 1,017 |
| OSCEOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL | MARION | 6–8 | Middle | 999 |
| HOWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL | MARION | 6–8 | Middle | 980 |
| FORT MCCOY SCHOOL | MARION | PK–8 | Primary | 964 |
| WARD-HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MARION | PK–5 | Primary | 959 |
| MARION OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MARION | PK–5 | Primary | 939 |
| SADDLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MARION | PK–5 | Primary | 917 |
| HAMMETT BOWEN JR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MARION | PK–5 | Primary | 867 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,904
State avg $6,118
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Marion County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Marion County?
How much does Marion County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Marion County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Marion County, Florida?
Marion County operates 63 public schools that support a total enrollment of 44,493 students. The infrastructure includes 35 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 15 high schools across a single district.
How do schools in Marion County perform academically?
The county's 87.0% graduation rate perfectly matches the national average, though it trails the Florida state average of 89.8%. Investment stands at $5,904 per pupil, which is slightly below the state average of $6,118.
What are the major school districts in Marion County, Florida?
The Marion School District manages the entire county, including four charter schools that represent 6.3% of all institutions. This centralized system provides a uniform curriculum across all 63 local schools.
What is the school experience like in Marion County?
Marion County features an even split of 24 rural and 24 city schools, with an average size of 729 students. West Port High School is the largest campus with 2,906 students, while Belleview Middle serves 1,573.
How can I find homes near good schools in Marion County, Florida?
Families value the variety of school settings found in Marion County, from quiet rural campuses to bustling city high schools. Consider school quality and district zoning as you explore the local real estate market.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.