Florida’s Department of Education has released school grades for the 2018-2019 school year, ranking Marion County as one of the “most significant improvements” when it comes to reducing schools under the state microscope.
“I say ‘congratulations’ because Marion is a pivotal district in moving the most fragile schools forward,” said Melissa Ramsey, executive director of School Improvement with the Florida Department of Education.
“We recognize the hard work of district leaders, school leaders, teachers, and, most importantly, the students of Marion County,” Ramsey added.
District-wide, all Marion schools improved or maintained their grade except one. Of those, 21 schools improved their school grades, including three which jumped two complete letter grades to a “C:” Belleview-Santos, Fessenden, and Reddick-Collier Elementary Schools.
Most importantly, Marion has no failing schools. This year, Marion schools earned:
- 4 “A” grades (3 last year)
- 15 “B” grades (9)
- 30 “C” grades (26)
- 2 “D” grades (11), and
- 0 “F” grades (3).
Marion jumped 26 points in total points earned for a “B” grade, just six shy of the “A” mark. Statewide, there are 24 “A” districts, 30 “B” districts, and 13 “C” districts.
Here’s a look at this year’s school grades and changes over last year for Marion County Public Schools:
|
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
2019 GRADE | 2018 GRADE | GRADE
CHANGE |
| Anthony | C | D | +1 |
| Belleview | C | D | +1 |
| Belleview-Santos | C | F | +2 |
| College Park | C | D | +1 |
| Dr. NH Jones | A | A | – |
| Dunnellon | B | C | +1 |
| East Marion | C | C | – |
| Eighth Street | A | A | – |
| Emerald Shores | C | D | +1 |
| Evergreen | D | D | – |
| Fessenden | C | F | +2 |
| Greenway | C | D | +1 |
| Hammett Bowen, Jr. | B | C | +1 |
| Harbour View | C | C | – |
| Legacy | C | D | +1 |
| Madison Street | A | A | – |
| Maplewood | C | C | – |
| Marion Oaks | C | D | +1 |
| Oakcrest | D | D | – |
| Ocala Springs | C | C | – |
| Reddick-Collier | C | F | +2 |
| Romeo | B | C | +1 |
| Saddlewood | B | B | – |
| Shady Hill | B | C | +1 |
| South Ocala | B | C | +1 |
| Sparr | C | C | – |
| Stanton-Weirsdale | C | C | – |
| Sunrise | C | D | +1 |
| Ward-Highlands | B | C | +1 |
| Wyomina Park | C | C | – |
| COMBINATION SCHOOL | |||
| Fort McCoy | C | C | – |
| Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks | C | C | – |
| MIDDLE SCHOOL | |||
| Belleview | B | B | – |
| Dunnellon | C | B | -1 |
| Fort King | B | B | – |
| Howard | B | B | – |
| Lake Weir | C | C | – |
| Liberty | B | C | +1 |
| North Marion | C | C | – |
| Osceola | A | B | +1 |
| HIGH SCHOOL | |||
| Belleview | B | B | – |
| Dunnellon | C | C | – |
| Forest | B | B | – |
| Lake Weir | C | C | – |
| North Marion | C | C | – |
| Vanguard | C | C | – |
| West Port | B | B | – |
| CHARTER SCHOOL | |||
| Francis Marion Military Academy | C | D | +1 |
| Marion Charter | B | C | +1 |
| McIntosh Area | C | C | – |
| Ocali Charter | C | C | – |
Two schools will now have external operators handling day-to-day operations starting in August – Evergreen and Oakcrest Elementary Schools. This will be Evergreen’s second year in this position and Oakcrest’s first.
Eleven elementary schools remain on the state’s Lowest 300 list, meaning they’re regularly under the microscope by state officials to raise proficiency rates and academic performance. Despite increasing as much as two letter grades this year, schools are still listed because the state uses a three-year average, not a single-year letter grade, to determine low-performing status.
Schools receive additional funding from the state for maintaining an “A” or improving their school grade based on student population.
For more information, visit School Grades.