Construction has reached its final stages at the new South Marion High School as Marion County Public Schools prepares to open the doors of its first new high school campus in over two decades.
Recent updates from the district reveal that the massive, 363,000-square-foot facility is rapidly taking shape, with classrooms, hallways, and common spaces nearing completion.
Aerial photography of the 115-acre site shows that the main academic buildings are largely enclosed, while work on the extensive athletic complex, including a 2,000-seat stadium, baseball diamonds, and a track, is well underway.
Located at 1350 SW 165th Street, just west of Interstate 75, the school was designed to alleviate overcrowding in the fast-growing southwest Ocala and Marion Oaks regions.
When the campus opens this fall, it will initially accommodate just over 2,000 students across 61 classrooms and 20 specialized labs.
These facilities will support a unique curriculum, featuring programs in artificial intelligence, avionics, digital cinema production, and agribusiness, all intended to prepare graduates for high-tech and local industry careers.
In addition to its academic spaces, the campus is designed to serve as a major hub for student life and community events.
The facility includes a 2,000-seat football and track stadium, a 1,332-seat gymnasium, and an 800-seat performing arts auditorium. Students will also have access to a large cafeteria that provides indoor and outdoor seating for nearly 900 people.
Managed by Wharton-Smith, Inc., construction of the new school has remained on schedule since its groundbreaking in late 2024.
While the district continues recruitment efforts to staff the campus, the primary focus remains on the final build-out of the interiors and surrounding landscaping.
The opening of South Marion High School represents a significant milestone for the district, which has not opened a new high school since 2003.
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