Whether it’s day care and preschool or high school and college, choosing the right educational path for your children is a common anxiety among most parents. So to make the process a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of Ocala and Marion County’s education options to help guide your way.
Achieve Learning Center
623 NE 27th Ave., Ocala › (352) 620-2555 › achievelearningcenter.org
Achieve Learning Center offers day care, a free VPK program and after-school care to older children. The center is open from 7am until 6pm and offers a structured atmosphere with plenty of circle time, arts and crafts, cooperative learning and dramatic play.
Alphabet Land
Learning Center
2147 SW Hwy 484, Ocala › (352) 307-2067 › alphabetlandlearningcenter.com
Alphabet Land welcomes children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age, including a free school-year or summer VPK program. Before and after-school care with pickup and drop-off at local schools is also available.
Ambleside School of Ocala
507 SE Broadway St., Ocala › (352) 694-1635 › amblesideocala.com
Ambleside offers a private, Christian education not committed to any particular denomination to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Ambleside accepts Step Up For Students scholarships and offers scholarships through its school board.
Angels in Arms
33 SW 16th Pl., Ocala › (352) 622-6167 › angelsinarms.com
Open since 1988, Angels in Arms is sponsored by Blessed Trinity Church and offers care for children 4 weeks through 5 years of age. Angels in Arms offers learning centers and group activities, which give children the opportunity to play, experiment and discover.
Belleview Christian Academy
6107 SE Agnew Rd., Belleview › (352) 245-6151 › bcaknights.com
Belleview Christian Academy offers a private, Christian education for students in pre-K3 through eighth grade. The school offers a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, chapel services, music, PE and art classes.
Blessed Trinity
Catholic School
5 SE 17th St., Ocala › (352) 622-5808 › btschool.org
Blessed Trinity offers a Catholic education for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is associated with the Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. The school educates approximately 700 students, with 97 percent of graduates attending Trinity Catholic High School.
Bright Beginnings
Learning Center
14950 S US Hwy 441, Summerfield › (352) 347-6593 › brightbeginningslc.com
Bright Beginnings offers care for children ages 1 through 4, including a free VPK program, as well as an after-school program that picks up from Belleview Elementary, Belleview Christian Academy, Harbour View Elementary and Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary. The center also offers Saturday night care and a fun summer program.
Building Blocks of
Ocala Preschool
3731 NE 7th St., Ocala › (352) 694-7440 or (352) 694-3501
bbopreschool.net
Certified teachers and staff at BBO Preschool offer a nurturing atmosphere for children 2 months through 12 years of age. The school offers a free VPK program, after-school care for school-age students and part- and full-time programs as well as fun extracurricular activities.
Building Blocks West
6158 SW Hwy 200, #100, Ocala › (352) 291-9204 or (352) 291-9205
Providing care for infants through preschoolers, Building Blocks West offers free VPK, before and after care and drop-in care for the hectic days when you can’t find a babysitter. A structured curriculum, computer programs and homework tutoring are also available.
Capstone Child
Care Academy
7794 SW 60th Ave., Ocala › (352) 351-3777 › capstonechildcare.com
Capstone welcomes children ages 1 through 5 for their preschool education, including a free VPK program. The school also offers an after-school program for school-age children up to 12 years of age and picks up at Hammett Bowen Elementary.
Carousel Early
Learning Center
1842 SE 11th Ave., Ocala › (352) 351-2369 › carousel-elc.com
Carousel offers care for children 6 weeks of age through pre-K, including free VPK classes from 8:30-11:30am. All classrooms have cameras that can be viewed live over the Internet. Wraparound care and after care are also available.
College of Central Florida
3001 SW College Rd., Ocala › (352) 873-5800
3800 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto › (352) 746-6721
cf.edu
The College of Central Florida offers a variety of certificates, diplomas and degrees through on-campus and online classes. CF offers bachelor degrees in nursing, early childhood education, agribusiness management, health care management and more. The CF Financial Aid Office can help students plan for college expenses.
Community Technical & Adult Education (CTAE)
1014 SW 7th Rd., Ocala › (352) 671-7200 › ctae.edu
CTAE offers adult education in a variety of fields, including commercial culinary, cosmetology, firefighting, massage therapy, medical billing, nursing assistant, phlebotomy and welding. The school also offers continuing education courses as well as GED and ESOL programs and leisure classes in cooking, dance and language.
Counts Early
Learning Academy
244 W Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 351-4738 › countsacademy.com
Counts provides child care and education for children ages 12 months through pre-kindergarten, including a free VPK program from 9am to 12pm with after care available. Part- or full-time child care is offered for younger kids.
Creative Beginnings Preschool
5870 SE 85th Ln., Ocala › (352) 470-6711
Creative Beginnings offers care for infants and children through 5 years of age, including a free VPK program for 4 year olds. The 6,000-square-foot facility offers 10 classrooms, a library, a computer room and three playgrounds. Beyond the classroom, the preschool offers a weekly chapel and music classes.
Creative Kids Preschool
2801 SW 20th St., Ocala › (352) 861-9474 › creativekidspresch0.wix.com/creative-kids
Creative Kids offers care for children 6 weeks of age through 12, including a certified VPK program. The preschool program offers a structured weekly curriculum, and lunches and snacks are provided. The school also offers the XTREME Kids after-school program and summer camp.
Crossroads Academy
3681 NE 7th St., Ocala › (352) 694-4466 › crossroadsacademyocala.com
Crossroads is a private school that specializes in helping third- through 12th-grade students who have dyslexia, hyperlexia, auditory processing disorders and dysgraphia. The program accepts McKay Scholarships and uses several Lindamood-Bell programs.
Dunnellon Christian Academy
20831 Powell Rd., Dunnellon › (352) 489-7716 › dcaeagles.com
Affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Dunnellon, this school offers a private, Christian education for infants through 12th-graders. Dunnellon Christian Academy offers scholarships awarded through its school and also accepts the McKay and Step Up For Students scholarships.
Family Ties Child Center
5285 SW 1st Ln., Ocala › (352) 854-3998 › 3230 SE 58th Ave., Ocala › (352) 694-4554 › familytieschildcenter.com
Offering a free VPK program as well as a structured preschool curriculum for children ages 2 through 5, Family Ties takes pride in its staff-to-child ratio and certified and CPR/first aid-trained teaching staff. The center also offers holiday, summer and vacation care for children up to 12 years.
First Assembly Christian School & Daycare
1827 NE 14th St., Ocala › (352) 351-1913 › facs.ocalafirst.org
First Assembly is a Christian educational program for infants and preschoolers as well as school-age students through 12th grade, including a free VPK program. The school accepts the Step Up For Students scholarship.
First Steps Preschool
2801 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala › (352) 629-5683 › fbcocala.org
First Steps is affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Ocala and offers care to infants and children through age 4. Chapel and library time is scheduled weekly for children ages 3 and 4, and music time is scheduled for children ages 2 through 4.
Grace Christian School
4410 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala › (352) 387-3090 › gcsocala.com
This private school offers K-3 and K-4 programs as well as an elementary and middle school program. Grace Christian School offers a tuition assistance program and accepts the Step Up For Students scholarship. A weekly Anglican church service is held in the outdoor courtyard.
Grace Episcopal
Church VPK
514 SE Broadway St., Ocala ›
(352) 368-5618 › graceocala.org/early-learning-vpk
Offered through the Grace Episcopal Church of Ocala, this VPK program is free to any child who is 4 years of age by Sept. 1. Early care, extended programs and wraparound care are available until 4pm, five days a week.
GraceWay Academy and Preschool
2255 SE 38th St., Ocala › (352) 629-4523 › gracewayacademy.org
Associated with Grace Presbyterian Church, GraceWay offers care for children ages 2 through fifth grade, including a free VPK program. The school accepts Step Up For Students scholarships and offers weekly Bible lessons and chapel as well as after-school care, gymnastics classes, music and Spanish.
Happy Hearts Preschool
208 SE Tuscawilla Ave., Ocala › (352) 622-7636 › www.happyheartsocala.org
Open since 1946, Happy Hearts is a non-denominational preschool offering half-day classes for children beginning at 18 months of age and extending through age 6 for children who wish to delay kindergarten enrollment. The school also offers a VPK class for children who are 4 by Sept. 1.
Highlands Baptist
Learning Center
3530 E Fort King St., Ocala › (352) 694-2194 › hbclearningcenterocala.org
Affiliated with Highlands Baptist Church, this center offers care and education to children 8 months through 12 years of age, including a free VPK program. Opened in 1972, the school offers bus transportation from Ward Highlands and Maplewood Elementary for children enrolled in after-school care.
Kinderoo Children’s Academy
5180 SW 60th Ave., Ocala › (352) 854-3800 › preschoolinocalafl.com
Kinderoo offers child care and preschool for children beginning at age 1 and a free VPK program for children who are 4 before Sept. 1. Full- and part-time programs are available as well as drop-in care and summer and winter camps.
Liberty Christian Preparatory Academy
850 NE 36th Ter., Ste. F, Ocala › (352) 694-2223 › libertychristianocala.com
Liberty Christian is a private school made up of individual home-educating families. The school is accredited by the Florida Council of Private Schools and offers education to students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Marion Technical Institute
1614 E Fort King St., Ocala › (352) 671-4765 › marionschools.net/mti
MTI is a public high school offering technical and classroom education for junior and senior high school students. Students earn a high school diploma while also receiving practical career experience in automotive technology, building sciences, business and finance, culinary arts, logistics, law, IT and robotics.
Meadowbrook Academy
4741 SW 20th St., Bldg. 1, Ocala › (352) 861-0700 › mbaocala.org
Affiliated with Meadowbrook Church, this school offers a Christian education for children in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The school offers both morning and afternoon care and accepts the Step Up For Students scholarship.
Meadowbrook College
4741 SW 20th St., Ocala › (352) 873-3767 › mbcschoolofministry.com
Meadowbrook College offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Ministerial Leadership program and a two-year Associate of Ministerial Leadership program, both through Southeastern University. Financial aid is available, and students receive hands-on ministry experience through Meadowbrook’s Ministry Tracks.
Montessori House
of Ocala, Inc.
9880 SW 84th Ct., Ste. D, Ocala › (352) 237-3281 › montessorihouseofocala.com
Montessori House offers education for infants through children in fifth grade. Computers are present in preschool and elementary classrooms, daily Spanish classes are offered in every classroom and Fridays are dedicated to extracurricular activities, including art, music, Spanish, science and sign language.
Montessori Preparatory School of Ocala
2967 NE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 351-3140 ›
montessoriacademies.com
This school features classrooms for children 3 months through sixth grade. All classrooms contain beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of learning, and the elementary curriculum is a blend of Montessori and traditional, so students can succeed in middle school.
Ocala Christian Academy
1714 SE 36th Ave., Ocala › (352) 694-4178 › ocacrusaders.org
Ocala Christian Academy offers a private, Christian education to children 3 years of age through 12th grade and accepts the Step Up For Students and McKay scholarships. The school offers a competitive athletic program for middle and high school boys and girls.
Ocala First Preschool
1126 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 620-0003 › ocalafirstpreschool.org
Affiliated with the Ocala First United Methodist Church, this preschool welcomes 2 and 3 year olds and offers free VPK and VPK with extended hours for 4 year olds. Half-day and two- and three-day programs are available for younger children, and early care is available starting at 7:30am.
Promiseland Academy
3732 NE 7th St., Ocala › (352) 694-1473 › ocalafirstnaz.net
Promiseland is a Christian-based preschool affiliated with First Church of the Nazarene offering care to children ages 1 through 4 and a free VPK program. VPK wraparound care and before and after care are also available.
Queen of Peace Children’s House Montessori
6455 SW SR 200, Ocala › (352) 854-2181 › qopchildrenshouse.com
Queen of Peace Children’s House, affiliated with the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, is a Montessori school focused on educating children ages 3 to 5. This school offers a free VPK program, as well as after-school and extended care and daily Bible teaching and prayer.
Rasmussen College
4755 SW 46th Ct., Ocala › (352) 629-1941 › rasmussen.edu
Rasmussen College offers certificates and associate and bachelor’s degrees in programs such as business, graphic design, early childhood education, health sciences, justice studies, nursing and technology. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available.
Redeemer Christian School
155 SW 87th Pl., Ocala › (352) 854-2999 › redeemerlions.com
Affiliated with Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Redeemer offers a private education to students beginning at 3 years of age through high school. The school accepts the Step Up For Students and McKay scholarships and also offers an in-house scholarship.
Riverland Christian Academy
19455 SW 61st St., Dunnellon › (352) 489-6177 › riverlandbaptistchurch.com/Riverland_Christian_Academy
Affiliated with Riverland Baptist Church, this school educates students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and accepts the Step Up For Students and McKay scholarships. The school utilizes the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum and offers volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.
Small Talk Educational Child Care
2125 NE 2nd St., Ocala › (352) 622-6481 › smalltalkocalacom.websitecreatorpropreview2421.com/Home
Small Talk offers care to infants through children in middle school, including a free VPK program for children 4 years of age. Transportation to and from select elementary and middle schools is available as well as before and after care for older kids.
Souls Harbor Christian Academy
12650 SE County Hwy 484, Belleview › (352) 245-6252 › shcaonline.com
Founded in 1979 by Souls Harbor First Pentecostal Church, Souls Harbor Christian Academy educates students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Scholarships are available, and students are given the opportunity to participate in drama activities and sports such as flag football and basketball.
St. John Lutheran School
1915 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala › (352) 622-7275 › stjohnocala.org
Affiliated with St. John Lutheran Church, this school serves children beginning in pre-K3 through high school. St. John Lutheran offers in-house financial aid, and the preschool division offers half- and full-day programs. The school also offers a competitive athletic program with a wide range of sports.
Saint Leo University, Ocala Education Center
3001 SW College Rd., Bldg. 20, Ocala › (352) 671-3391 › saintleo.edu
At the Ocala Education Center, Saint Leo offers on-campus classes during the evenings and weekends as well as online and distance learning classes. Programs offered include a Bachelor of Arts in accounting, criminal justice, human services, elementary and middle grades education, psychology and business administration; a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems; and a Master of Education.
St. Paul’s Christian School
800 SE 41st Ave., Ocala › (352) 694-4219 › stpaulschristianschool.org
Affiliated with St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Christian School welcomes children ages 2 through 4 and offers a free VPK program as well as an advanced K-4 program.
Step-by-Step Success, LLC
7558 SW 61st Ave., Ste. 3, Ocala › (352) 671-5335 › stepbystepsuccessllc.com
Step-by-Step Success offers a variety of services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, including a private school program. Some insurances are accepted, and private pay options, scholarship programs and finance options are available.
Sylvan Learning of Ocala
3231 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala › (352) 622-6284 › sylvanlearning.com
Sylvan offers extensive tutoring services for students in kindergarten through high school. The facility also offers a variety of other programs, including an accelerated after-school program and Sylvan EDGE, which includes robotics and coding for kids.
Taylor College
5190 SE 125th St., Belleview, › (352) 245-4119 › taylorcollege.edu
The college’s School of Nursing offers LPN to ADN bridge, practical nursing and professional nursing options and is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. They also offer a variety of career prep, associate degree and diploma programs.
The Cornerstone School
2313 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala › (352) 351-8840 › thecornerstoneschool.org
Available programs include a pre-K3 and 4 as well as elementary and middle school. This independent private school also offers a vigorous STEM program and has instituted the Tribes Program since 2006. Before care and after care are available, and the school offers need-based financial aid and accepts the Step Up For Students scholarship.
The Reading Clinic
1333 SE 17th St., Ocala › (352) 867-0027 › thereadingclinicschool.com
The Reading Clinic specializes in children with learning differences in the area of written and oral language. The core curriculum provides instruction in all traditional subjects, including math, science, geography, geometry, writing and literature. The school also offers both a summer and school-year traditional VPK program.
Tiny Tykes Child Care
3111 NE 14th St., Ocala › (352) 629-5838 › Find them on Facebook
Tiny Tykes Child Care welcomes infants and children through age 4 and offers a free VPK program. Tiny Tykes recently reported the 2014-2015 VPK class scored 100 percent on their kindergarten-readiness testing.
Trinity Catholic High School
2600 SW 42nd St., Ocala › (352) 622-9025 › trinitycatholichs.org
This ninth- through 12th-grade facility is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college-prep program focuses on giving students the resources needed to excel in college. The school also offers a full selection of arts, clubs and athletic programs.
Triumphant Tots Inc
1425 NE 63rd St., Ocala › (352) 351-2470 › Find them on Facebook
Triumphant Tots accepts children starting at 4 weeks of age through fifth grade. The center offers a free VPK program and before and after-school care for school-age children with pickup from nearby elementary schools.
Victory Academy
3401 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala › (352) 622-4410 › victoryacademyocala.com
Victory Academy is a classical Christian college-preparatory school for children ages 3 and 4 through sixth grade (with a grade being added each year through 12th). The school is dedicated to nurturing and challenging the whole person—body, mind and spirit to the glory of God.
Village View Christian Academy
8585 SE 147th Pl., Summerfield › (352) 307-2100 or (352) 693-5941 › villageviewchristianacademy.com
The Early Education Center has programs available for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years, including a new VPK curriculum. The school offers grades kindergarten through high school, including a variety of extracurricular and sports programs.
Webster University
4414 SW College Rd., Ste. 942, Ocala › (352) 861-9330 › webster.edu/ocala
Webster University offers accredited graduate and undergraduate degrees to students with opportunities to study in Ocala or even earn a master’s degree online. Webster is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers a full selection of athletic programs and campus life options.
Editor’s Note: This is not a comprehensive list of education options. Every effort was made to attempt to research and include as many schools as possible and to ensure accurate information was included. Specific details are subject to change at the school’s discretion. Please contact the school directly for the most up-to-date information.
