The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in Science. The lowest is 53% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ocala Springs Elementary School
Ocala Springs Elementary sits on the northeast side of Ocala, serving children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade within Marion County Public Schools. The school carries a diverse student body: white students make up the largest share, followed by Hispanic and Black students, with smaller groups of multiracial and Asian students. A substantial majority of the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which positions this as a school serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged community. Data on English learner rates and students receiving special education services were not available in the records we reviewed, so parents with children in those categories may want to ask the school directly about support structures.
On Florida's state assessments, the picture across third through fifth grade is mixed but consistent enough to read. In both reading and math, the youngest tested grades land at roughly half of students reaching proficiency. That climbs by fifth grade, where ELA results are the school's strongest point, approaching or crossing two-thirds of students testing at grade level, and math and science results in fifth grade are meaningfully better than in third. The general pattern is that proficiency improves across the grade band, which is worth noting. Still, in the lower grades, fewer than half of students meet the state's bar in ELA and math, and parents may want to ask the school about early literacy supports and the interventions in place for students who are behind. Because Marion County has only one district, a county-level comparison was not possible with the available data.
Trend data is not available, so it is not possible to say whether these results are improving, stable, or declining. The school operates as a standard public neighborhood school, not a charter or magnet, so there is no selective admissions process or specialized programmatic identity to consider in enrollment decisions.
The broader Ocala context matters for anyone evaluating a home near this school. Ocala is publicly reported as among the fastest-growing metro areas in the country, and that growth is reshaping Marion County Public Schools in real time. Enrollment has climbed sharply over recent years, and the district is managing crowding. In response, voters approved a half-cent sales tax in late 2024 dedicated to school construction, expansion, and renovation, with plans for several new schools and additional wings over the coming years. An earlier property tax renewal, still active through 2027, funds school safety personnel, arts and music, physical education, and teacher retention. Both measures directly affect local tax bills and the resources students receive day to day, and families considering a home purchase in the area should factor both into their budget thinking.
Housing near the school is considerably more affordable than the Florida state average and also below the national median home value. Values in the zip code have edged slightly downward over the past year, and estimated rents fall into a range that represents a fairly reasonable share of typical household income. For buyers, the monthly carrying cost on a standard mortgage is well within reach compared to what the same mortgage rate would produce in most Florida metro markets. Ocala's economy draws on healthcare, manufacturing, logistics anchored by its I-75 position, and the equestrian industry centered on the World Equestrian Center. Major hospitals, Lockheed Martin, and a cluster of large distribution centers all employ area residents, which gives the local economy more diversification than its size might suggest.
Ocala Springs Elementary fits a family looking for a neighborhood public school in a fast-growing, relatively affordable part of north central Florida. The school's academic results in the tested grades are a mixed picture, stronger at fifth grade than third, and a parent whose child is entering the younger grades may want to have a direct conversation with the school about early reading and math supports. The community around the school is economically diverse, and the district is in the middle of a significant infrastructure build-out to keep pace with growth.
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