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Ward-Highlands Elementary School

Q: Is Ward-Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Ward-Highlands Elementary School ranks 551 st of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

551^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 75% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Ward-Highlands Elementary School in Ocala, FL, serves 908 students from Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the Marion school district, which ranks in the bottom 10% of Florida districts.

Ward-Highlands stands out as a strong performer, showing a consistent upward trajectory in its state ranking over the past decade—moving from the 45th percentile in 2018-2019 to the 75th percentile in 2025-2026 and earning a 4-star rating. This improvement is especially notable given that over half of its students (53.6%) are economically disadvantaged. The school consistently outperforms both district and state averages in nearly every subject and grade level. For example, in 2025-2026, 72% of 3rd graders were proficient in ELA compared to the district's 46%, and 77% of 4th graders were proficient in math versus the district's 53%. Math is a particular strength, with proficiency rates ranging from 71% to 77%, outpacing the state average by 9 to 12 percentage points. Chronic absenteeism is also well-managed at 22.5%, significantly better than the district average of 35.2% and far lower than nearby struggling schools like Wyomina Park Elementary (50.8%) and Oakcrest Elementary (43.1%).

What makes Ward-Highlands particularly compelling is how it achieves these results without a specialized magnet designation, unlike nearby high-performing schools such as Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (98th percentile) and Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary School (89th percentile). It also does so with lower per-student spending ($12,215) than many peers, including struggling South Ocala Elementary ($13,469) and even high-performing Eighth Street Elementary ($13,125). This suggests effective resource allocation and instructional strategies that are successfully bridging the poverty-achievement gap. While 5th grade ELA (64% proficient) is a potential area for focus, the school's overall trajectory and ability to outperform schools with much lower poverty rates make it a standout choice in the Ocala area.

908

Students ?

15.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,215

Per pupil spending ?

53.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

537 SE 36th Ave
Ocala, FL 34471

(352) 671-6810

District: Marion

Students who attend Ward-Highlands Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Fort King Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.1%

Hispanic:

24.8%

African American:

14.3%

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Compare Ward-Highlands Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 63rd percentile in 2016 → 75th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (71% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 25% of Florida elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 12 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school71%

District avg52%

Florida avg62%

551^st of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 25%▲ up 12 pts since 2016

From top 37% (2016) to top 25% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 32Elementary Schools in the Marion

63^rd of 70Marion among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	73.1	551 of 2240	75.4%	★★★★☆
2025	70.8	614 of 2258	72.8%	★★★★☆
2024	67.3	692 of 2256	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.8	745 of 2240	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.9	832 of 2219	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.8	838 of 2247	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	45.3	1194 of 2182	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.4	1045 of 2118	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	65.4	720 of 2112	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2016	62.7	765 of 2087	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	68.2	624 of 2064	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	64.5	697 of 2029	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	59.5	812 of 1984	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	58.0	880 of 1985	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	62.1	772 of 1919	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	65.9	637 of 1847	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	67.5	598 of 1789	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	69.5	545 of 1786	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	63.0	642 of 1688	62.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math74%+9 vs state

Science71%+11 vs state

English Language Arts69%+8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Ward-Highlands Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)			FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ward-Highlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	537 SE 36th Ave	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6810	908	60	15.1	53.6%	482 (53.1%)	130 (14.3%)	225 (24.8%)	11 (1.2%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	56 (6.2%)	73.1	551^st of 2240 public elementary schools	75.4%		70.8	614^th of 2258 public elementary schools	72.8%	63	72.0	70.0	64.0	73.0	77.0	71.0	71.0	$12,215	$1,264	$10,952
Maplewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4751 SE 24th St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6820	819	62	13.2	57.4%	399 (48.7%)	168 (20.5%)	197 (24.1%)	10 (1.2%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	41 (5.0%)	54.7	1027^th of 2240 public elementary schools	54.2%		54.3	1009^th of 2258 public elementary schools	55.3%	18	47.0	60.0	71.0	51.0	66.0	74.0	69.0	$15,538	$2,418	$13,120
Student Services/Ese	Public	K-8	1614 E Fort King St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(352) 671-6832	7	0			3 (42.9%)	3 (42.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (14.3%)								(n/a)
Marion Elearning	Public, Virtual	K-5	1614 E Ft King St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	Yes	No	(352) 236-0570	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Wyomina Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	511 NE 12th Ave	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6370	502	31	16.1	83.7%	129 (25.7%)	201 (40.0%)	123 (24.5%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (8.8%)	13.4	2073^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	7.5%		8.3	2181^st of 2258 public elementary schools	3.4%	108	41.0	30.0	38.0	49.0	38.0	43.0	44.0	$13,703	$1,899	$11,804
South Ocala Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1430 SE 24th Rd	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-4750	712	47	15.1	68.5%	256 (36.0%)	231 (32.4%)	169 (23.7%)	9 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (6.5%)	16.6	2006^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.4%		22.8	1829^th of 2258 public elementary schools	19.0%	177	29.0	45.0	53.0	40.0	35.0	51.0	37.0	$13,469	$1,344	$12,126
Eighth Street Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	513 SE 8th St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-7125	381	26	14.6	29.9%	265 (69.6%)	50 (13.1%)	48 (12.6%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.9%)	84	282^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	87.4%		84.3	309^th of 2258 public elementary schools	86.3%	27	75.0	75.0	70.0	89.0	87.0	81.0	71.0	$13,125	$744	$12,381
Oakcrest Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1112 NE 28th St	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6350	631	32	19.7	83.7%	151 (23.9%)	311 (49.3%)	120 (19.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (7.3%)	26	1764^th of 2240 public elementary schools	21.3%		7.7	2186^th of 2258 public elementary schools	3.2%	422	32.0	53.0	48.0	57.0	56.0	39.0	52.0	$12,582	$1,862	$10,720
Madison Street Academy Of Visual And Performing Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	401 NW Martin Luther King Jr	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 671-7250	467	34	13.7	30.8%	275 (58.9%)	71 (15.2%)	82 (17.6%)	8 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (6.4%)	93.8	52^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	97.7%		90.9	136^th of 2258 public elementary schools	94.0%	84	86.0	91.0	83.0	90.0	88.0	88.0	84.0	$13,295	$1,085	$12,209
Dr N H Jones Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1900 SW 5th St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 671-7260	789	52	15.1	42.1%	261 (33.1%)	224 (28.4%)	177 (22.4%)	75 (9.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (6.5%)	85.3	255^th of 2240 public elementary schools	88.6%		90.5	157^th of 2258 public elementary schools	93.0%	98	72.0	80.0	78.0	80.0	81.0	81.0	79.0	$11,444	$602	$10,841

Frequently Asked Questions about Ward-Highlands Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Ward-Highlands Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Ward-Highlands Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Fort King Middle School

Is Ward-Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Ward-Highlands Elementary School ranks 551^st of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Ward-Highlands Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 908 students attended Ward-Highlands Elementary School.

What district is Ward-Highlands Elementary School in?

Marion

What is the racial makeup of Ward-Highlands Elementary School?

Students at Ward-Highlands Elementary School are 53% White, 25% Hispanic, 14% African American, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataNewAug 18, 2026

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.