Schools

Marion County Public Schools

The Marion County Public School District ranks about average for Florida schools in 2011 with a grade of B.

Leeward Air Ranch is zoned for Legacy Elementary (constructed in 2013), Belleview Middle, and Belleview High (which offers the AICE Program) are among the best schools in the district. School zones are subject to change without notice and should be verified with the school district.

There are also a number of public Magnet Schools and Programs and Charter Schools, and Academies within the high schools which offer specialized curriculum.

Magnet Schools and Programs

Designed with open access in mind, magnet schools and programs offer specialized courses focused on theme-based instruction and technology. Specially trained magnet teachers often come from professional careers in the private sector, matching their teaching subject areas.

Magnet schools and programs attract students from all over Marion County, not just surrounding school attendance zones. Admission is application-based, and some schools and programs require minimum testing levels and auditions. Admission may also depend on majority-to-minority enrollment figures and space availability. Unless indicated, the district may provide bus transportation to students enrolled in magnet schools and programs.To access specific magnet pages and read about each of these opportunites, click the appropriate link, below:

Magnet Schools

Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary

Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Magnet Programs

Cambridge Program at Reddick-Collier Elementary

Howard Middle School - Advanced Academics Integrated Technologies (AAIT)

AICE Program at North Marion High (the AICE Program is also offered at Belleview High School)

EMIT Program at Forest High

International Baccalaureate Program at Vanguard High School

Marion County Center for the Arts at West Port High

MTI - Marion Technical Institute

Charter Schools

Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success.

The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 4-5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-- usually a state or local school board-- to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract.

The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.

Marion Charter School (Elementary)

McIntosh Area School (Elementary)

Francis Marion Military Academy (High)