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Forest High School

Q: Is Forest High School a good school?

Forest High School ranks 289 th of 844 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades 9-12

289^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 844 Florida High Schools

Better than 66% of Florida high schools

Summary

Forest High School is a public magnet high school located in Ocala, Florida, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 2,383 students. The school is part of the Marion School District, which is ranked 62 out of 67 districts in Florida and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Forest High School consistently outperforms the Marion district and the state of Florida in various standardized test scores, with 74% proficiency in EOC/Biology 1 and EOC/US History, compared to 66% and 68% for the Marion district, and 71% for the state. The school has also maintained a strong four-year graduation rate, ranging from 77.9% to 91.4% over the past few years, which is generally higher than the Marion district and the state. However, Forest High School has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 23.2% to 35.3% in recent years, which is higher than the state average.

When compared to nearby high schools in the Marion district, Vanguard High School and Lake Weir High School, Forest High School generally performs better in terms of test scores and graduation rates, but has higher chronic absenteeism and free/reduced lunch rates. The high chronic absenteeism rate and the large population of economically disadvantaged students at Forest High School may be areas that the school and district could focus on to further improve student outcomes.

2,387

Students ?

24.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,573

Per pupil spending ?

37.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5000 SE Maricamp Rd
Ocala, FL 34480

(352) 671-4700

District: Marion

Feeder schools for Forest High School:

Elementary:	Dr N H Jones Elementary School
	Eighth Street Elementary School
	Maplewood Elementary School
	South Ocala Elementary School
Middle:	Osceola Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.5%

Hispanic:

22.2%

African American:

16.7%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Forest High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 67th percentile in 2014 → 66th in 2025

Strengths

✓96% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Marion

✓Above the Florida median (66th percentile)

Worth a look

!Algebra 1 scores 24 pts below the Florida average

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school62%

District avg54%

Florida avg62%

289^th of 844

Florida public high schools ?

Top 34%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 30% (2016) to top 34% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 8High Schools in the Marion

62^nd of 67Marion 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
2025	53.5	289 of 844	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.7	306 of 807	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.1	300 of 792	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.5	290 of 774	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.9	277 of 746	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.9	269 of 734	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.7	232 of 716	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	57.2	209 of 714	70.7%	★★★★☆
2016	56.7	207 of 693	70.1%	★★★★☆
2014	59.9	228 of 687	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.3	202 of 648	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	58.7	169 of 606	72.1%	★★★★☆
2011	72.8	162 of 622	74.0%	★★★★☆
2010	71.7	164 of 620	73.5%	★★★★☆
2009	70.8	152 of 587	74.1%	★★★★☆
2008	70.1	147 of 577	74.5%	★★★★☆
2007	74.6	121 of 563	78.5%	★★★★☆
2006	70.5	126 of 477	73.6%	★★★★☆
2005	70.8	133 of 487	72.7%	★★★★☆
2004	74.2	111 of 484	77.1%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2024-2025) ?

Biology 174%+3 vs state

US History74%+3 vs state

English Language Arts61%+4 vs state

Geometry52%-3 vs state

Algebra 136%-24 vs state

★

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Schools Near Forest High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				FAST English Language Arts (2025)		EOC Algebra 1 (2025)	EOC Geometry (2025)	EOC Biology 1 (2025)	EOC US History (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Forest High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	5000 SE Maricamp Rd	Ocala	34480	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 671-4700	2,387	99	24.1	37.3%	1,278 (53.5%)	398 (16.7%)	529 (22.2%)	54 (2.3%)	6 (0.3%)	6 (0.3%)	116 (4.9%)	53.5	289^th of 844 public high schools	65.8%		49.7	306^th of 807 public high schools	62.1%	17	61.0	61.0	36.0	52.0	74.0	74.0	$9,573	$813	$8,760
Hillcrest	Public	6-12	3143 SE 17th St	Ocala	34471	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 671-6800	162	29	5.5	49.4%	74 (45.7%)	29 (17.9%)	50 (30.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.9%)								(n/a)							$47,565	$14,002	$33,563
Marion County Acceleration Academy	Public	8-12	1515 E Silver Springs Blvd	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(352) 329-2799	304	5	60.8	62.8%	132 (43.4%)	86 (28.3%)	67 (22.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.9%)								(n/a)							$139	$36	$103
Belleview High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	10400 SE 36th Ave	Belleview	34420	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-6210	1,904	81	23.5	45.7%	940 (49.4%)	189 (9.9%)	649 (34.1%)	18 (0.9%)	12 (0.6%)	3 (0.2%)	93 (4.9%)	38.9	478^th of 844 public high schools	43.4%		41.3	405^th of 807 public high schools	49.8%	73	49.0	53.0	29.0	44.0	65.0	63.0	$9,030	$959	$8,071
Pace Center For Girls Inc.	Public	6-12	328 NE 1st Ave	Ocala	34470	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 369-0571	40	0	7.6	87.5%	13 (32.5%)	12 (30.0%)	10 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (12.5%)								(n/a)							$6,423	$487	$5,936
Lake Weir High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	10351 SE Maricamp Rd	Ocala	34472	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-4820	1,447	72	20.0	59.4%	650 (44.9%)	297 (20.5%)	389 (26.9%)	19 (1.3%)	6 (0.4%)	4 (0.3%)	82 (5.7%)	25.6	626^th of 844 public high schools	25.8%		27.4	570^th of 807 public high schools	29.4%	56	41.0	40.0	28.0	25.0	56.0	59.0	$9,818	$1,059	$8,759
Vanguard High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	7 NW 28th St	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 671-4900	1,684	76	22.1	52.3%	571 (33.9%)	551 (32.7%)	394 (23.4%)	80 (4.8%)	6 (0.4%)	4 (0.2%)	78 (4.6%)	37.6	489^th of 844 public high schools	42.1%		36.1	461^st of 807 public high schools	42.9%	28	49.0	46.0	12.0	36.0	70.0	71.0	$9,579	$870	$8,707
McSo Adults	Public	8-12	700 NW 30th Ave	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 732-1450	10	0		30.0%	1 (10.0%)	7 (70.0%)	2 (20.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)							$38,958	$27	$38,931
Ocali Charter High School	Public, Charter	9-12	3850 West Anthony Rd	Ocala	34475	Marion County	Marion	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(352) 264-9940	116	7	16.5	55.2%	54 (46.6%)	24 (20.7%)	29 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (6.9%)	30.7	579^th of 844 public high schools	31.4%					(n/a)	45.0	46.0	21.0	8.0	60.0	67.0	$11,115	$252	$10,863
West Port High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	3733 SW 80th Ave	Ocala	34481	Marion County	Marion	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 291-4000	3,022	120	25.1	44.9%	886 (29.3%)	574 (19.0%)	1,305 (43.2%)	105 (3.5%)	13 (0.4%)	11 (0.4%)	128 (4.2%)	47.2	368^th of 844 public high schools	56.4%		47.9	327^th of 807 public high schools	59.5%	41	55.0	59.0	28.0	42.0	73.0	74.0	$8,443	$760	$7,683

Frequently Asked Questions about Forest High School

What is the racial makeup of Forest High School?

Students at Forest High School are 54% White, 22% Hispanic, 17% African American, 5% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What schools feed into Forest High School?

Forest High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dr N H Jones Elementary School
Elementary : Eighth Street Elementary School
Elementary : Maplewood Elementary School
Elementary : South Ocala Elementary School
Middle : Osceola Middle School

Is Forest High School a good school?

Forest High School ranks 289^th of 844 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Forest High School in?

Marion

How many students attend Forest High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,387 students attended Forest High School.

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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.