Lifelong Learning
Whether it’s day care, preschool, high school or college, choosing the right educational path for your children is a common anxiety among most parents. 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
Achieve Learning Center offers day care 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 certain local schools is also available.
Ambleside Schoolof Ocala
507 SE Broadway St., Ocala (352) 694-1635
Ambleside offers a private, Christian education not committed to any particular denomination to students in kindergarten through 10th 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
Open since 1988, Angels in Arms is sponsored by Blessed Trinity Church and offers care for children 4 weeks through 5 years of age between 7am and 6pm. Angels in Arms offers learning centers and group activities, which give children the opportunity to play, experiment and discover, plus a summer kindergarten readiness program.
Belleview ChristianAcademy
6107 SE Agnew Rd., Belleview (352) 245-6151
Belleview Christian Academy offers a private, Christian education for students in pre-K3 through eighth grade. The school offers an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, chapel services, and music, computer and art classes.
Blessed Trinity Catholic School
5 SE 17th St., Ocala
(352) 622-5808
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 most graduates attending Trinity Catholic High School, and has a full list of extracurricular activities.
Bright BeginningsLearning Center
14950 S US Hwy 441, Summerfield (352) 347-6593
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 Village View 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
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
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
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 offers year-round childcare and early education for ages 0 through second grade, 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
The College of Central Florida offers a variety of certificates, diplomas and degrees through on-campus and online classes. CF offers bachelor’s 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.
Creative Beginnings Preschool
5870 SE 85th Ln., Ocala
(352) 245-2416
Creative Beginnings Preschool offers care for infants and children through 5 years of age, including a free VPK program for 4-year-olds. The facility offers 23 classrooms, each with technology incorporated into the day, plus three playgrounds. Beyond the classroom, the preschool offers a weekly chapel, dance, soccer, basketball, sign language and Spanish.
Creative Kids Preschool
2801 SW 20th St., Ocala
(352) 861-9474
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 lunch 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
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
Affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Dunnellon, this school offers a private, Christian education for infants through eighth-graders, plus a 4-year-old VPK program. Dunnellon Christian Academy offers a scholarship 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
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 and Preschool
1827 NE 14th St., Ocala
(352) 351-1913
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
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
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, and the school offers a great selection of extracurricular activities.
GraceWay Academy and Preschool
2255 SE 38th St., Ocala
(352) 629-4523
Associated with Grace Presbyterian Church, GraceWay offers care for children ages 3 through fifth grade, including a free VPK program. The school accepts Step Up For Students scholarships and offers Bible lessons and chapel, as well as after-school care, gymnastics classes, music, Spanish and more.
Happy Hearts Preschool
208 SE Tuscawilla Ave., Ocala
(352) 622-7636
Open since 1946, Happy Hearts is a non-denominational preschool offering half-day classes for children beginning at age 2 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
Affiliated with Highlands Baptist Church, this center offers day care and educational opportunities to children 8 weeks through 4 years of age and after-school care for elementary-aged children. 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
facebook.com/kinderoochildrensacademy
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
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 College
1014 SW 7th Rd., Ocala
(352) 671-7200
Marion Technical College offers adult education in a variety of fields, including commercial culinary, cosmetology, firefighting, massage therapy, medical billing, nursing assistant, phlebotomy and welding, among many others. The school also offers continuing education courses as well as GED and ESOL programs and leisure classes in photography, sewing and language.
Marion Technical Institute
1614 E Fort King St., Ocala
(352) 671-4765
MTI is a public high school offering technical education for junior and senior high school students. Students earn a high school diploma from their base school while also receiving practical career experience in automotive technology, building sciences, business and finance, culinary arts and IT.
Meadowbrook Academy
4741 SW 20th St., Bldg. 1,
Ocala (352) 861-0700
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.
Montessori House of Ocala, Inc.
9880 SW 84th Ct., Ocala
(352) 282-0195
Montessori House offers education for infants through 6 years old. Computers are present in preschool and elementary classrooms, daily Spanish classes are offered in every classroom and students enjoy extracurricular activities, including art, music, science and sign language.
Montessori Preparatory School of Ocala
2967 NE Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala (352) 351-3140
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
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
Affiliated with the Ocala First United Methodist Church, this preschool welcomes 2- and 3-year-olds and offers a 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.
Play Academy
9264 SE Maricamp Road, Unit 9, Ocala (850) 258-5828
Play Academy offers two after-school options: general education with homework help or general fitness that rotates between various sports, including golf, gymnastics, cheerleading and more. The day care accepts ages 6 weeks through 3 years, and a separate, free VPK for 4-year-olds is also available. After-school programs are open to kids in kindergarten through seventh grade, and the facility is open from 7am to 7pm.
Promiseland Academy
3732 NE 7th St., Ocala
(352) 694-1473
Promiseland is a Christian-based preschool affiliated with First Church of the Nazarene offering care to infants and children through age 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
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 College offers certificates and associate’s 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.
Rasmussen College School of Nursing
1227 SW 17th Avenue, Ocala (352) 291-8565
Rasmussen’s School of Nursing is located on its own campus in Ocala and offers a reputable, fast-paced array of nursing programs. Programs offered include practical nursing, professional nursing, Bachelor of Science in nursing, Master of Science in nursing and an RN to BSN bridge option.
Redeemer Christian School
155 SW 87th Pl., Ocala
(352) 854-2999
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-K4 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
Now in its 38th year, Small Talk offers care to infants age 6 weeks through children in middle school, including a free VPK program for children 4 years of age. Before and after care for older kids is also offered as well as transportation to and from select elementary and middle schools. A full schedule of summer and school-break activities are also available.
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.
Southeastern University, Ocala Campus
4741 SW 20th St., Ocala
(352) 873-3767
Southeastern University in Lakeland partners with Meadowbrook Church to host an instructional site on the church campus. Degree programs include an Associate of Arts in General Education, Associate of Ministerial Leadership, and Bachelor of Science degrees in business and professional leadership, communication and mass media, and ministerial leadership. Online courses are also available.
St. John LutheranSchool
1915 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala (352) 622-7275
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
1930 SW 38th Ave., Ocala
(352) 800-7074
saintleo.edu/ocala-education-center
At the Ocala Education Center, Saint Leo offers on-ground classes during the evenings and weekends as well as online and distance-learning classes. Programs offered include an Associate of Arts in business administration, criminal justice and liberal arts; 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. The school also offers a kindergarten program.
Step-by-Step Success, LLC
5481 SW 60th Street, Ocala
(352) 671-5335
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) 484-1583
Sylvan offers extensive tutoring services for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The facility also offers a variety of other programs, including an accelerated after-school program, ACT and SAT prep, and Sylvan EDGE, which includes robotics and coding for kids.
Taylor College
5190 SE 125th St., Belleview, (352) 245-4119
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
The Cornerstone School is an independent private school teaching pre-K3 through eighth grade. With everyone working toward the shared goal of growing students into successful young adults, the school offers strength in community between students, parents and teachers with a heavy focus on academics, morals and values. 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
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 offers a fun-filled, educational curriculum. Children who have turned 4 years of age by September 1 of the current school year are eligible for the free VPK program.
Trinity Catholic High School
2600 SW 42nd St., Ocala
(352) 622-9025
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
Victory Academy is a classical Christian college-preparatory school for children ages 3 and 4 through eighth grade (with a grade being added each year through 12th). The school offers a Christian education along with a classical curriculum, innovative programs and an environment that promotes independent thinkers.
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 free VPK curriculum. The school offers grades kindergarten through high school and a variety of extracurricular and sports programs. Village View accepts the Step Up For Students and McKay scholarships and offers a church scholarship for members of the Village View Community Church.
Webster University
4414 SW College Rd., Ste. 942, Ocala (352) 861-9330
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.
