Just six months after its groundbreaking, a new elementary school in southwest Ocala is taking shape, with plans to admit students next school year.
“New Elementary School X” is currently under construction at 7200 SW 49th Avenue Road in Ocala.
Marion County Public Schools officials broke ground on the elementary school, and “New Elementary School W” in March.
Both schools are scheduled to admit students for the 2025-2026 academic school year.
The new elementary school site is located in the Winding Oaks community, just down the road from Marion Ranch, a new residential development currently being built out.
When complete, the new elementary school will be a two-story, concrete building that encompasses 115,000 square feet. It will feature 43 classrooms and will serve up to 860 students, according to MCPS.
The facility will feature minimal entry points, offices for administrative staff on the first floor, and a media center on the second floor.
According to the district, both schools are being built in response to the “growing student populations” in southwest Marion County.
According to MCPS, the budget for New Elementary School X is $47 million. The district borrowed the funds to build the schools, as well as an additional high school in southwest Marion County.
In addition to the new elementary schools, Marion County School Board officials recently entered into an agreement with a company that is managing the construction of a new, $130 million high school in south Ocala.
In July, the school board approved a $2.9-million contract to design a new middle school to serve Silver Springs Shores.
