HILLCREST

HILLCREST operates as a minimally staffed secondary school in OCALA, Florida, one of the schools within MARION. Current enrollment sits at 162 students spanning grades 6 through 12. By comparison, Florida's public schools average about 1,035 students each, so HILLCREST sits 84% leaner than that benchmark.

Across the 62 schools in MARION (46,349 students total), HILLCREST accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, HILLCREST lists that the largest single group is White at 46%, but no single group is in the majority; the rest reads as 31% Hispanic, 18% Black, 5% multiracial. That is meaningfully less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 69%.

In terms of school funding signals, The school reports having 29 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 5.6:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 23.5:1, putting HILLCREST tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 49% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Marion County) shows that median household income runs about $61,010, 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. HILLCREST is one of 68 public schools in Marion County (combined enrollment of about 46,349 students).

Nearest neighbor: OCALI CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL, around 0.7 miles off. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around HILLCREST.

HILLCREST operates from an inner-city location.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at HILLCREST has fell 11%, going from 182 students in 2018 to 162 in 2025. Hispanic enrollment moved from 20% to 31% across the same window.

In the discussion threads here, posts here usually surface around fundraisers, lost-and-found posts, and report-card season. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.