A name has been selected for a new, $165 million high school that is currently under construction in southwest Ocala and is projected to open next year.
During its regular meeting on Tuesday evening, the Marion County School Board approved “South Marion High School” as the name for the new facility.
The name was selected after two surveys conducted this summer garnered over 550 votes.
More than 35% of the vote was for South Marion, according to a statement issued by the district.
The district broke ground at the 115-acre site of South Marion High last December. Located at 1350 SW 165th Street, the institution is the first high school to be built in the county since 2003.
The three-story, 363,000-square-foot school will feature 61 classrooms and 20 labs. It is being built for 2,011 students and will have build-out options to accommodate up to 2,711 students.
Additionally, the facility will feature over 800 parking spaces, an 800-seat performing arts auditorium, an 858-seat cafeteria and outdoor eating area, a 1,332-seat gymnasium, a 2,000-seat athletic stadium for football/track and field, and several playing fields for baseball, soccer, and other sports.
The new high school is strategically located to front Marion Oaks Manor and will accommodate a growing student population in southwest Marion County.
It will be approximately 21 miles east of Dunnellon High, around 17 miles south of West Port High School, and about 12 miles west of Belleview High School.
Last year, Wharton-Smith, Inc., which was contracted by the Marion County School Board to manage the project, issued an invitation to subcontractors to bid on various portions of the multi-million dollar project.
The Marion County School Board borrowed funds to build the $165 million school, as well as two new elementary schools that opened at the beginning of this year. According to the district, local millage proceeds will also pay some of the construction costs.
South Marion High School is projected to open in August 2026.