An Equal Opportunity School District

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2 Marion County Public Schools Leading the State in Raising Student Performance 512 SE Third Street Ocala, FL FRS (voice) (TTY) SAVE-A-FRIEND HOTLINE FRIEND An Equal Opportunity School District

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4 A Reference Guide to Marion County Public Schools Our school system is dedicated to leading the state in raising student performance. This guide offers a look at the district as an effort to communicate and continue developing our relationships with parents, students, business partners and our community (As of May 2008) Students... 42,271 Schools Employees... 6,287 5th largest Florida district in geographic area (approx. 1,657 square miles) 2008 Operating Budget - $677,130,623. High School Graduation Rate (2007): Marion County % Florida % Dropout Rate (2007): Marion County...3.3% Florida...3.3% 2008 graduates received four-year scholarships to many higher education institutions and post-secondary training opportunities. The value of these scholarships was over $15.7 million. This publication provided as a public service by the Public Relations Office of Marion County Public Schools, PO Box 670, Ocala, FL, FAX public.relations@marion.k12.fl.us Information contained in this guide was accurate as of July Marion County Public Schools is an equal opportunity school district and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, marital status, age or disability in its employment practices and in its access and admission to educational programs, services and activities. Special thanks to the Ocala Star-Banner for their photographic assistance. 1 MCPS 2008 Schools Guide Table of Contents Superintendent of Schools...2 Marion County School Board...2 Registering for School...3 Immunization Requirements...3 Bus Transportation...4 Food Service...4 Teacher Recruitment...5 Special Services and Programs School Locator Map Business Partner Program...14 Public Education Foundation...15 School Listings/Principals District Achievement and Awards School Accountability...21 Academic Accountability School Profiles

5 Superintendent of Schools After an initial gubernatorial appointment in 2003, Superintendent James Jim Yancey was elected by registered voters to a four-year term ( ). Mr. Yancey previously served as deputy superintendent and is a former principal of Belleview and Dunnellon High Schools. He started as a teacher in Marion County Public Schools and has been part of the district for the past 36 years. Mr. Yancey earned both his Bachelor of Science and Masters in Administration and Supervision degrees from the University of Florida. As executive officer of the Marion County School Board, the superintendent assists the Board in performing each of its duties, providing guidance and making recommendations as required. James M. Yancey Marion County School Board Diana Greene, Ph.D. Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Wally Wagoner Deputy Superintendent of Operations The Marion County School Board consists of five non-partisan members elected by registered voters. Each member represents one of five districts and is elected to four-year terms on a staggered basis. The Board meets twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6PM. Meetings are held at the School Board Meeting Room, 512 SE 3rd St., Ocala, and are broadcast live on more than a dozen cable television systems in Marion County and over-the-air on Channel 7. Board meetings and workshops are open to the public and advertised in advance. The Honorable Judith Zanetti District The Honorable Steven B. Hering District The Honorable Bobby L. James District The Honorable Sue M. Mosley District The Honorable Ronald B. Crawford District

6 Registering for School School registration is available at all Marion County Public Schools. Call the local school for details. Requirements are: Pre-Kindergarten: Must be four years old on or before Sept. 1 Kindergarten: Must be five years old on or before Sept. 1 First Grade: Must be six years old on or before Sept. 1 and have successfully completed kindergarten with transferable academic credit. Florida law requires all children ages 6 (by Feb. 1) to 16 attend school. Students found to be truant, and their parents, may be prosecuted for failing to attend school. Immunization Requirements Florida law requires all students have a certification of immunization on file at their school. Students not meeting this requirement will be excluded from school until the proper documents are provided. For more information, contact the Marion County Health Department at , your doctor, or Marion County Public Schools Health Education at For school assignment, call the Student Assignment Office at To register your child for school, you will need these required items: Proof of birth date Proof of residency Florida certification of immunization Proof of physical examination within one year of enrollment Social Security Card (requested) 3

7 Bus Transportation Food Service More than 7,000,000 meals were served in Marion County Public Schools last school year. Breakfast... $1.00 Lunch Elementary Schools... $1.60 Middle/High schools... $1.75 Milk Juice Buses on the road daily, 35% with seatbelts 12,135 Bus stops 1,293 Daily bus routes 44,444 Roundtrip bus miles daily 8 million miles annually 32 trips to the moon and back Nearly 26,000 student riders (61% of students) 5,600 gallons of diesel fuel used daily over 1 million gallons annually $15,429 cost of average day s fuel for buses Bus transportation is provided at no cost to all students who live more than two miles from their assigned school. Courtesy busing is no longer provided for students living within a school s two-mile zone. Transportation is provided for children who are physically handicapped or students enrolled in exceptional student programs regardless of the distance from home to school. Call your local school for bus information. Transportation Department Free/reduced price meals are available to students who qualify. Approximately 58 percent of our students qualify for this program. Call the Food Service office for more information at

8 Teacher Recruitment To ensure Marion County Public Schools employ the best and the brightest teachers, the district Employment Services Department conducts a well-organized program for recruitment. The Marion County Education Job Fair, college recruitment fairs, personal visits, and campus career events attract well-qualified teachers to Marion County Public Schools. In addition, our own employees receive scholarship opportunities through the Public Education Foundation of Marion County and the Department of Education to pursue teaching careers in Marion County. For employment information, contact Employment Services at , or call the Vacancy Hotline at You may also visit our web site, for job listings. Pupil/Teacher Ratio ( ) K : : : : :25 (core classes) Projected Students ( ) Elementary Schools... 19,891 Middle Schools... 9,619 High Schools... 11,931 Charter Schools Special Centers... 1,156 Home Schooled... 2,100 Instructional Staff (May 2008) Male...22% Bachelor s Degree...65% Master s Degree...31% Specialist Degrees...2% Female...78% Master s plus...1% Doctorate...1% Student Demographics (March 2008) Male...52% Caucasian % Black % Hispanic % Female...48% Multi-Cultural % Asian % Native American % Total Budget (All Funds) $677,130,623 General Fund...53% Capital Projects...36% Debt Service...3% Per Pupil Expenditure... $8,296 Food Service...3% Federal...3% Internal Service...2% 5

9 Special Services & Programs Florida. Its mission is to enrich the educational and cultural environment of the State of Florida and the Southeastern United States as an integral educational and cultural component of Central Florida Community College. For more information contact Judy Worley, liaison officer for arts programs with Marion County Public Schools, at , or her at AICE Program Offered to students at Belleview and North Marion High schools, the AICE diploma program (Advanced International Certificate of Education) is administered and assessed by the University of Cambridge. AICE courses equate to those offered at the university freshman level and are for high school juniors and seniors. Applications are required with minimum criteria established. Contact Belleview High ( ) or North Marion High ( ) for more information. Appleton Museum The Appleton Museum of Art is a teaching museum dedicated to providing the highest quality of educational and artistic programs for North Central Career Preparation Model and Career Development Plan Career Development Plan and the Career Model were developed to help students prepare for the transition from school to the work world. Career planning links education, careers and lifelong learning. The Career Development Plan ensures all students are prepared to enter the workforce, enroll in post-secondary technical training, and/or pursue a professional program of study when they graduate from high school. The Plan provides for career development from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Career Preparation Model was developed to outline how careers would be integrated in all grades, beginning in kindergarten. The Model includes three pathways: Professional Prep, Tech Prep, and Work Prep. Each high school has a Career Lab where students may take the PESCO Career Assessment and CHOICES to assess their skills, likes, dislikes and aptitude for many things. The assessment gives students a printout of occupations and careers they have the aptitude to achieve. During ninth grade, students begin their Career Planner Portfolio and four-year high school plan. Marion County Public Schools has these and many other resources to help students determine a career pathway. Planning is the key to career success. For further information, visit the Career Website at or contact Joan Stark, Career Model Facilitator, at or at Joan.Stark@marion.k12.fl.us. 6

10 Central Florida Community College (CFCC) Marion County Public Schools has agreements with Central Florida Community College (CFCC) to provide several types of college credits to high school students. A dual-enrollment program is available as well as college credit for completing Tech Prep programs. Career Academics also offer high school credit for college courses based on specific careers. Individual high schools can provide information on these options. Community Technical and Adult Education Center (CTAE) This program provides academic opportunities through a wide variety of outstanding programs while serving as a primary provider of continuing education for business and industry. Courses include basic literacy, GED preparation and high school completion, and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Technical course offerings include health occupations, cosmetology, construction trades, and business. An array of recreation and leisure courses are offered as well. As many as 6,700 students ages 16 and up attend CTAE. For more information, contact the center at or log on to Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology (EMIT) The Engineering and Manufacturing Institute of Technology at Forest High School combines honors-level high school academics with three or four years of computer-assisted drafting in a state-of-the-art facility. Open to high school students countywide, EMIT s unique curriculum is immersed in high-tech approaches, preparing students for careers in drafting and design, engineering, architecture or manufacturing processes. Problem-solving skills and mixed grade-level teaming provide leadership opportunities. Students can begin the program in either the ninth or tenth grade. Enrollment is limited by space, and prospective applicants should contact Forest High School at to receive a packet. Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Marion County has approximately 8,300 exceptional students enrolled in our public schools. An exceptional student is one who has special learning needs due to a disability or students who are gifted. The special assistance they receive in school is called Exceptional Student Education (ESE) or Special Education. Our goal is to provide every exceptional student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE), help the student progress in school, access general curriculum, and prepare for life after school. All schools have ESE programs of differing degrees. Hillcrest School provides exceptional student services to its entire student body. Call for more information on ESE services. 7

11 Extended Day Care To accommodate working parents and encourage interpersonal student development, the district offers before- and after-school programs at all elementary school sites. Middle school programs are available at limited sites. Contact the individual middle school for information on program availability. General hours of operation are 6:30AM - 6PM. Contact individual schools for exact times as they may vary. Students may register at each school site through the Extended Day Site Manager. A variety of activities are conducted at each site including arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor play time, group projects, and quiet time to read and work on homework. Fees are charged for this program and are designated as a flat rate fee, meaning a fixed fee per-week is charged for services regardless of usage or number of days in the week. Fees are paid weekly in advance. For more information, contact the Extended Day Business Office at Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program This program establishes a lottery-funded scholarship rewarding high school graduates. Students who merit recognition of high academic achievements and meet eligibility criteria may then enroll in an eligible Florida public or private-post secondary educational institution within three years of high school graduation. This is the umbrella program for all state-funded scholarships including the Florida Academic Scholars, The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars, and The Florida Merit Scholars Awards. For information, contact any high school guidance counselor. Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks expands to include middle school students this year, making it the district s only grades 4-8 school. Located in the heart of Marion Oaks in Southwest Marion County, this community school also requires a mandatory dress code for its students based on school colors. The $37 million school was the first built with a half-cent sales tax approved by voters back in International Baccalaureate Marion County s only International Baccalaureate program conducts classes at Vanguard High School. A rigorous pre-university course of study, this program offers accelerated classes to meet the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student. Eighth graders apply for acceptance in their freshman year and can earn college credit hours while enrolled in high school. In addition to academic classes, IB students must also complete an independent research project and document 150 community service hours. The IB Program was created over 30 years ago as a common university entrance credential serving a consortium of nations. Marion County s IB Program is one of just 56 in all of Florida. To find out more about the International Baccalaureate program, call or visit their website at IB programs are also under development at Lake Weir High and Oakcrest Elementary and are expected to open within the next few years. Liberty Middle School Liberty Middle School is the district s newest school opening this school year. Built with local sales tax dollars, this $36 million school replaces the former West Port Middle. Situated on Southwest 95th Street in Marion County, the school features three two-story buildings surrounding an interior courtyard. Liberty Middle is located beside the district s newest elementary school, Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary. 8

12 Magnet Schools and Programs Students may attend one of several magnet school programs designed to meet their specific learning needs. These include: Dr. N.H. Jones Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology (elementary). Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, emphasizing academic excellence, fine arts and technology (elementary). Reddick-Collier Elementary s Cambridge Program, focusing research, writing, and application of knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems. Middle school students may apply to Howard Middle School to experience learning through technologies and the arts. High school students may choose from: Forest High s EMIT program (described earlier) North Marion High s AICE program (described earlier) Vanguard High s IB program (described earlier) West Port High, offering Marion County s only visual and performing arts magnet program for high school ages Marion Technical Institute (MTI) Marion Technical Institute offers students 16 years and older the opportunity to learn technical skills and academic knowledge through hands-on experience. MTI provides learning opportunities in eight specialized academies including: Automotive Technology, Business, Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Industrial Engineering Technology, Information Technology, Power Industrial/Electrical, and Dual Enrollment. MTI also offers Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Cosmetology, and Small Gas Engine Technology programs. MTI is designed specifically for students interested in finding immediate employment upon graduation and/or continuing post-secondary education in a specific field of work. For more information, call or log on to Model Classrooms Marion County pioneered this concept of grouping same-grade students at same academic levels in the same classroom. Students scoring at low levels on the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) spend time in classrooms with lower ratios and higher one-on-one teacher-to-student contact. Repeating a grade level offers these students the chance to not only catch up academically, it builds self-esteem and confidence to succeed at future levels. Students in model classrooms spend large blocks of time on the same task, which means uninterrupted time, longer learning, and higher achievement. Contact any of these schools directly for more information. 9

13 ROTC Junior ROTC programs are based at all high schools. The Reserve Officers Training Corps offers students training for military careers and beyond. Air Force programs are available at Belleview, Dunnellon, Forest, and North Marion High Schools. The Navy offers an ROTC program at Vanguard High, while the Army offers its program at West Port and Lake Weir High Schools. For more information on these programs, contact the schools directly. Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center The Silver River Museum is located within the beautiful 5,000-acre Silver River State Park with several nature trails where students and visitors explore diverse and threatened ecosystems. All fourth and seventh graders in Marion County Public Schools participate in a one-day field trip to the Museum. The curriculum is a hands-on experience providing students an appreciation for Florida s rich natural and cultural heritage. Specifically designed activities target the Sunshine State Standards and help students excel on the FCAT. These activities are used during the field trip and included in a teacher s guide, used to prepare students before their trip and to reinforce concepts after their visit. For more information, call or log on to Television Media Productions Part of the Technology and Information Systems (TIS) Department, Television Media Productions (TMP) operates a nationally-recognized model for instructional television. The department regularly records worldwide educational programming via satellite and distributes it to all 48 schools, providing a great resource for teachers and students alike. Through 12 microwave channels managed by the district, all classrooms receive instructional programming. In addition, the district rebroadcasts, with permission, the following: The National Geographic Channel, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, The History Channel, PBS, The Weather Channel, CNN, C-Span, and the Annenberg/CPB Channel for use in our classrooms. The district also programs and operates the Marion Education Channel, a 24-hour educational channel, on more than a dozen local cable systems and over-the-air on Channel 7, reaching more than 100,000 homes in Marion County. For more information, call or Larry.Davis@marion.k12.fl.us. 10

14 Volunteers Last year, volunteers logged over 130,000 hours in Marion County Public Schools. All schools have School Volunteer programs. Volunteer support is needed in all areas of our school system and there are many ways to serve: classroom, health screening, assist with school plays, field trips, science and social studies fairs, fund raising projects, clerical work, lunchroom, media center, physical education programs, musical programs, and many other areas. Our senior adults bring a wealth of experiences to our students and are a valuable resource, especially through our Veterans in the Classroom project. Contact Suzanne McGuire, homeless liaison/volunteer coordinator, at or Suzanne.McGuire@marion.k12.fl.us for more details. West Port High Med-Tech Academy West Port High has teamed with Munroe Regional Medical Center to offer an exemplary Health Science Education Program. Emphasizing a strong academic program with a practical side, along with field trips and mentoring programs, business and industry representatives assist with the development of future well-trained health care providers. Contact West Port High at for more information. West Port Visual and Performing Arts Program A state-of-the-art facility closely describes the art department at West Port High School. With a large room for 2-D and 3-D art, West Port also has a mat and frame room, a printmaking room, and a dark room for photography. The facility matches the curriculum of Commercial Art, Printmaking, Drawing and Painting, Sculpture and Pottery. The school also offers a performing and visual arts magnet program, thanks in part to a theatre with lighting and sound equipment. This department is Marion County s premier site for high school students interested in the performing and visual arts. Courses in drama, theatre history, acting, and technical theatre are offered. Opportunities abound for students to engage in extra-curricular performances designed to enhance the classroom experience. As a magnet program, students countywide can apply through a required audition. Contact West Port High at for more information. 11

15 School Locator Map

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17 Business Partner Program The partnerships between local businesses and Marion County Public Schools are one of the more rewarding examples of private sector involvement with our schools. For more information, contact the Public Education Foundation of Marion County at or log onto SCHOOL... BUSINESS PARTNER Anthony Elementary... Fabian Dinkins Construction / Unity Baptist Church Belleview Elementary...open Belleview High...open Belleview Middle... Teachers Sharing Answers, Inc. Belleview-Santos Elementary...open College Park Elementary... CFCC & United Mortgages & Assoc. Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary... Market of Marion Dunnellon Elementary...open Dunnellon High School...open Dunnellon Middle... Tillman & Associates Engineering East Marion Elementary...Grandview Rental / Florida Credit Union Eighth Street Elementary...SunTrust Bank of North Central FL Emerald Shores Elementary... TECO Peoples Gas Evergreen Elementary...Triple Crown Homes Fessenden Elementary... AIG Retirement Forest High...Bank of America / Progress Energy / Engineered Building Systems, Inc. Fort King Middle...GTE Federal Credit Union Fort McCoy School...BB&T Greenway Elementary...Signature Brands, LLC Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary...Pulte Homes Harbour View Elementary...The Villages Regional Health System Hillcrest School... Ocala Star-Banner Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks...open Howard Middle...Cox Communications SCHOOL... BUSINESS PARTNER Lake Weir High...Lockheed-Martin Lake Weir Middle... Closet Maid Liberty Middle...open Madison Street Academy...Regions Bank Maplewood Elementary...Fluid Routing Solutions, Inc. Marion Technical Institute...CLM Workforce Connection / Economic Development Council North Marion High... MASCO BCG-Merillat / System Components Corp. North Marion Middle... Seminole Stores Oakcrest Elementary... McDonald s Restaurant Ocala Springs Elementary...open Osceola Middle... Wachovia Bank Reddick-Collier Elementary...open Romeo Elementary...Brick City Title Insurance Co. Saddlewood Elementary...Sam s Club Shady Hill Elementary... Barfield & Associates South Ocala Elementary... Cullison-Wright Construction Corp. Sparr Elementary...Sparr Building & Farm Supply Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary...open Sunrise Elementary...Wal-Mart Supercenter Vanguard High (IB Program)... India Assoc. Cultural & Education Center Ward-Highlands Elementary...Bank of America West Port High...Munroe Regional Medical Center Wyomina Park Elementary...Signature Brands, LLC 14

18 Cornerstone Programs Grants for Great Ideas, providing funds to teachers and principals supporting teaching innovations. Teacher To Be Scholarships, designed to help non-instructional district employees obtain their degree to become teachers. In 1987, the Public Education Foundation of Marion County was established to increase involvement in Marion County Public Schools, to channel funds from the private sector into programs enhancing public education, to encourage imaginative and creative approaches to teaching, and to recognize and reward excellence in education. The foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization providing support for programs where tax dollars cannot be used or where budgets fall short. The Foundation strives to encourage and recognize educational excellence in Marion County. Since the beginning, thousands of committed individuals, businesses and organizations have contributed time and money to support the Foundation s work, enabling it to disburse more than $1 million in grants, awards and scholarships to our public schools. The business community donates additional in-kind materials and supplies. Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program, developed in 1991, honors excellence through the selection of each school s Teacher of the Year and through the community nomination process. Each year, five outstanding teachers become members of the Golden Apple Academy, a growing association of exceptional educators; one of these five is named Marion County s Teacher of the Year. Take Stock in Children, helping deserving low-income children with this challenge: if they agree to keep up their grades, work hard, and play by the rules, their community will provide a scholarship to college, a mentor to help them stay on track, and hope for the future. For information on any of these programs, or on the Foundation itself, contact the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, Inc. at or log on to 15

19 School Listings /Principals School, Principal & Address Main# Fax# School, Principal & Address Main# Fax# Anthony Elementary Cassandra Boston 9501 NE Jacksonville Rd., Anthony, FL Belleview Elementary Brenda Conner 5556 SE Hwy 484, Belleview, FL Belleview High Jim Wohrley SE 36th Ave., Belleview, FL Belleview Middle Lisa Krysalka SE 36th Ave., Belleview, FL Belleview-Santos Elementary Troy Sanford 9600 South US Hwy 441, Belleview, FL College Park Elementary Patricia Stout 1330 SW 33rd Ave., Ocala, FL Community Technical and Adult Ed. Debbie Jenkins 1014 SW 7th Rd., Ocala, FL Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary Don Raymond 1900 SW 5th St., Ocala, FL Dunnellon Elementary Patricia Hornsby SW 180th Ave. Rd., Dunnellon, FL Dunnellon High Michelle Lewis SW 180th Ave. Rd., Dunnellon, FL Dunnellon Middle Jane Ashman Chestnut St., Dunnellon, FL East Marion Elementary Mike Hearn NE 14th St. Rd., Silver Springs, FL Eighth Street Elementary Penny McKee 513 SE 8th St., Ocala, FL Emerald Shores Elementary Jaycee Oliver 404 Emerald Rd., Ocala, FL Evergreen Elementary Rusty Corley 4000 NE West Anthony Rd., Ocala, FL Fessenden Elementary Anna DeWese 4200 NW 89th Pl., Ocala, FL Forest High Chester Gregory 5000 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala, FL Fort King Middle Wayne Livingston 545 NE 17th Ave., Ocala, FL Fort McCoy, K-8 Rob Hensel NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, FL Francis Marion Military Academy Brandon Hicks 2091 NE 35th St., Suite 12, Ocala, FL Greenway Elementary Erin Quainton 207 Midway Rd., Ocala, FL Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary Leanna Dixon 4397 SW 95th St., Ocala, FL Harbour View Elementary Marlene Bjork 8445 SE 147th Pl., Summerfield, FL Hillcrest School Lori Manresa 3143 SE 17th St., Ocala, FL

20 School, Principal & Address Main# Fax# School, Principal & Address Main# Fax# Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks Juan Cordova 365 Marion Oaks Dr., Ocala, FL Howard Middle Kathy Collins 1108 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala, FL Lake Weir High Cynthia Saunders SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala, FL Lake Weir Middle Mike Kelly SE Sunset Harbor Rd., Summerfield, FL Liberty Middle School Gregg Dudley 4773 SW 95th St., Ocala, FL Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Philip Leppert 401 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala, FL Maplewood Elementary Gary Smallridge 4751 SE 24th St., Ocala, FL Marion Charter School Gina Evers, Director 39 Cedar Rd., Ocala, FL Marion Technical Institute (MTI) Mark Vianello 1614 SE Ft. King St., Ocala, FL McIntosh Area Schools (MAS) Rochelle Victor th St., P. O. Box 769, McIntosh, FL North Marion High Kathy Quelland 151 W County Road 329, Citra, FL North Marion Middle Jerome Brown 2085 W County Road 329, Citra, FL Oakcrest Elementary Jeannine Mills 1112 NE 28th St., Ocala, FL Ocala Springs Elementary Dave DeNaro 5757 NE 40th Ave. Rd., Ocala, FL Osceola Middle John McCollum 526 SE Tuscawilla Ave., Ocala, FL Reddick-Collier Elementary Vernon Chisholm 4595 W County Road 316, Reddick, FL Romeo Elementary Kathy Hultman SW 36th St., Dunnellon, FL Saddlewood Elementary Cheryl Laffey 3700 SW 43 Ct., Ocala, FL Shady Hill Elementary Carol Ely 5959 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL South Ocala Elementary Pam Miller 2831 SE Lake Weir Ave., Ocala, FL Sparr Elementary Woody Clymer 2525 E County Road 329, P. O. Box 539, Sparr, FL Stanton-Weirsdale Don Zaharias SE 134th Terr., Weirsdale, FL Sunrise Elementary Isaac Burgess 375 Marion Oaks Crs., Ocala, FL Vanguard High Rick Lankford 7 NW 28th St., Ocala, FL Ward-Highlands Beth Cordova 537 SE 36th Ave., Ocala, FL West Port High Jayne Ellspermann 3733 SW 80th Ave., Ocala, FL Wyomina Park Elementary Mike Graff 511 NE 12th Ave., Ocala, FL

21 District Achievements and Awards Seventy-seven percent of schools in Marion County receive A or B grades from Florida s Department of Education. Three high schools Belleview, Forest, and Vanguard earn A grades, the most high schools ever in a single year and the first A high school grade since Superintendent Jim Yancey and the West Port High School reading team are named Florida Literacy Leaders of the Year by the DOE s Just Read, Florida! Program. The awards are handed out in front of 5,000 people attending the organization s annual conference in Orlando. Marion County Public Schools is named the institutional Communicator of the Year by the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. This is the second year in a row the district is recognized for its communication efforts. Over 3,000 teachers gather in Ocala to hear nationally-known education reformist Dr. Bill Daggett. The Public Education Foundation sponsors the event sparking discussion on making public education relevant to today s world and professions. Jen Greco, a special-needs teacher at Hillcrest School, is named Marion County s 2008 Teacher of the Year. It s a first for the school. Other Golden Apple winners include John Betts (MTI), Lana Boulware (Saddlewood), Nicole Lambert (Reddick-Collier), and Mary Zorich (Osceola). Rookie Teacher of the Year honors went to Melissa Lindeman (Belleview High). The district enjoyed its highest student enrollment ever on Tuesday, October 16, 2007, with 43,123 students in class for the Day 40 count. Buddy Oswald and Bill Talbert received Social Studies Teacher of the Year honors for high school and middle school, respectively. Oswald teaches economics, American government, and English at MTI. Talbert teaches social studies to seventh graders at Howard Middle. The honors come from the Marion County Social Studies Council. Peggy Brookins, a math teacher at Forest High, is the Teacher of the Year for the Florida Education Association. Brookins has spent her entire 29-year teaching career at Forest and is widely known for her role in establishing the school s EMIT program. Four Class of 08 members receive Congressional appointments to military academies: Diana Bennett (U.S. Air Force Academy), Christopher Denaro (U.S. Naval Academy), Daniel Guerra (U.S. Naval Academy), and Michael Phipps (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy). Bobby L. James, a retired principal and educator for 35 years in Marion County Public Schools, is appointed to the Marion County School Board by Governor Charlie Crist. James filled the position vacated by Kurt Kelly, who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in mid The Public Relations Office captures two Sunshine Medallion Awards from SUNSPRA, the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. As well, the district receives two Awards of Merit and six Honorable Mentions for its public relations efforts from NSPRA, the National School Public Relations Association. 18

22 Four students receive district recognition for their outstanding school attendance: Nicole Peebles (no absences in 13 years); Diana Williams (no absences in 12 years); Roxanne White (no absences in 10 years); and Everett Nelson (no absences in high school). Six students are named National Merit Finalists: Sarah Brady, Danielle Cohen-Shohet, Justin Dersch, Melinda Fang, Asmuel Kim, and Grace Wang. Cohen-Shohet attends Forest, the others are IB students at Vanguard High. Renfei Tu, an IB student at Vanguard High, becomes Marion County s first student to reach the final round of the Sunshine State Scholar competition. Two schools Lake Weir High and Oakcrest Elementary begin the process to become International Baccalaureate schools, a lengthy process with tons of detail and training required. Once approved, they ll join Vanguard High as the only IB schools in the district. Members of the Marion County School Board earn Master Board status once again. The arduous process involves board members and the superintendent training together for a combined 107 hours on topics like consensus building, managing change, team self-evaluation, ethical management, conflict resolution, listening, and team learning. West Port s Karin Gunn is named one of just two teachers nationwide receiving a full scholarship to the Creative Education Institute at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. As part of her prize, she gets to choose a student to attend MIAD s Pre-College MAJORS program on full scholarship Aaron Pagniano. Forty-three students attended a summertime RoboCamp thanks to the generosity of local contractors at ACA Construction Group. The students studied gadgets, electronics, robots and science as part of the robotics and synergy theme. Kaylin Ricks, a student at Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary, designs a healthy winning lunch menu that goes district-wide. Her menu includes Hawaiian pizza, grilled chicken wraps, sweet potato fries, and fresh apple slices. Vanguard High ranks #1 in the nation for its sports video by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the same organization responsible for the Emmy awards. Freddie s Story creators Zach Peed, Tyler Smith, and Tori Petry invest lots of time in the project under the guise of first-year TV production teacher Marc Rice. The video also captures the top spot in the five-state Suncoast region. MTI students receive a $10,000 grant from Lowe s through the SkillsUSA program. The funds pay for culinary demonstrations in the community and redesign of The Bistro, the school s culinary arts restaurant. Sixteen local students make quite the showing at the U.S. Junior Open Chess Championship, competing in the Under 16 category. The team captured third place in the nation and walked away with a four-foot trophy for their finish. For the third year in a row, a Lake Weir Middle student designs the state-winning poster for SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). The district reaches the $3 million mark in energy savings in just two years. The energy management program saves taxpayer dollars on utility bills for electricity, water and natural gas. The district also starts a four-day work week during the summer (10 hours per day) and mandatory computer shutdowns to save on additional utility costs. Dunnellon High honors its former principals with a Wall of Honor. Former and current principals shared memories of their leadership days and presented their own photos as part of the permanent display in the school s front office. Camp Kiwanis celebrates 60 years of lifetime memories. Founded in 1948, the summer camp offers outdoor experiences to hundreds of local youngsters, with scholarships for many of those unable to pay. As in years past, school district employees serve as staff members while high school students serve as camp counselors. The 7th annual Marion County Student Media Festival attracts 215 entries from 18 schools, with more than 1,300 students involved in producing the videos. Best of Show awards go to Dr. N.H. Jones, Horizon Academy, Dunnellon Middle, and Belleview High. First-place winners advanced to the state level, with Marion County videos capturing 13 of 32 first-place titles, the most of any school district in Florida. 19

23 In their first-ever battle, Horizon Academy students capture the top spot in the Sunshine Book Bowl. Romeo Elementary students capture the runner-up title in the annual competition testing literacy and comprehension skills. For the eighth year in a row, the Finance Department of MCPS receives the Award of Excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association. Vanguard High s automotive program earns national certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), joining MTI and North Marion High as the only ASE-certified high schools in Marion County. MTI is named a Model High School by the International Center for Leadership in Education, a prestigious honor bestowed on just 25 high schools nationwide. Horizon Academy opens its doors in the heart of Marion Oaks. The $37 million school the first built with sales tax dollars approved by voters in 2004 hosts fourth and fifth graders with plans to open middle school grades in The 58th annual Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade airs live on the Marion Education Channel, showcasing thousands of students involved in the nighttime event, which draws over 60,000 spectators along East Silver Springs Boulevard. State Attorney General Bill McCollum visits West Port Middle to warn students about Internet predators. The presentation captures student attention with humor, frank conversation, and resources to report online dangers. Following a seatbelt study by Marion County s Community Traffic Safety Team, students at West Port High receive top honors in the annual Battle of the Belts competition. A higher percentage of students left the school wearing seat belts than any other high school in Marion County. By the book, by the numbers! This mantra of the MATHCounts Team from Osceola Middle helps them capture the district title and eighth place (out of 44 schools) in the state. Team member Michael Fang finishes second in the state, advancing to summertime competition in Denver as part of Florida s championship team. Automotive technology students at MTI receive a Ford Tropica, an electric car, from Ford of Ocala. Students will study the technology in their pursuit of alternative sources of energy. The district s Computers-4-Kids program hands over more computers to needy families, bringing the total of such systems given away to 450 at 18 elementary schools since it started in The first-ever Magnet Expo showcases what magnet schools and programs offer to Marion County students. Ten schools take part in what will become an annual event. The Dictionary Project continues for a fourth year. Ausley Construction, ACA Construction, and Cullison-Wright Construction Corporation partner and provide free dictionaries to 3,400 third graders enrolled in Marion County Public Schools. It s often the first book these students call their own. 20 Rachel s Challenge kicks off at Belleview and Howard Middle schools, encouraging students to start a chain reaction of kindness by encouraging others to show compassion and kind words instead of insults and cruel intentions. Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine High School massacre. Ruth Dexheimer, an art teacher at Madison Street Academy, becomes the 2007 Outstanding Elementary Art Educator according to the Florida Art Education Association. Leadership students at MTI join forces and raise almost $1,000 from the community to help a local police officer in his bout with cancer. Three district employees Jon Chaffin, Aaron Hickman, and Jose Lucenilla earn national attention for their Field of Excellence efforts at Booster Stadium. The award comes from a national maker of athletic field striping and marking equipment. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is named a Top 20 educational spot in the nation according to Reserve America, the largest provider of campsite reservations in the country. The national organization considered over 3,000 potential locations for its annual ratings.

24 School Accountability (FCAT School Grades) SCHOOL Anthony Elementary A A A A Belleview Elementary B B A B Belleview High A B B D Belleview Middle A B A C Belleview-Santos Elementary A B B B College Park Elementary B B B C Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary A A A A Dunnellon Elementary C A B A Dunnellon High C C B D Dunnellon Middle C B A B East Marion Elementary A A C B Eighth Street Elementary A A A B Emerald Shores Elementary C A A A Evergreen Elementary C A C C Fessenden Elementary C D B C Forest High A C B D Fort McCoy B C A C Ft King Middle A A A B Greenway Elementary B A A A Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary B A N N Harbour View Elementary A A A A Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks N/A Howard Middle A A A B Lake Weir High B C C D Lake Weir Middle B B A C Madison Street Elementary A A A A Maplewood Elementary A A A B North Marion High B D D D North Marion Middle B C B C SCHOOL Oakcrest Elementary A C C C Ocala Springs Elementary A A A A Osceola Middle A A A A Reddick-Collier Elementary C B B C Romeo Elementary A A A A Saddlewood Elementary A A A C Shady Hill Elementary A A A B South Ocala Elementary A A A B Sparr Elementary C B B C Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary B A A A Sunrise Elementary N/A A A C Vanguard High A B B D Ward-Highlands Elementary A A A A West Port High C C C C West Port Middle B A A B Wyomina Park Elementary A A B A CHARTER SCHOOLS Marion Charter C C C C McIntosh Area School N/A MARION COUNTY PERFORMANCE TRENDS Performance Grade A Performance Grade B Performance Grade C Performance Grade D Performance Grade F The web site for school grades and accountability data is 21

25 Academic Accountability Florida s public schools use a variety of methods to evaluate student achievement. Among these are standardized tests offered to all students using the same administrative guidelines. These scores provide consistent and useful information to address educational needs of students; however, they must be used in conjunction with other evaluation techniques to provide an accurate profile of student achievement. Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2008 Marion County public schools improved proficiency levels in 15 of 19 district scores on the 2008 FCAT. Students in grades 3 through 11 participate in the FCAT annually. The table at right provides the percentage of students in the district scoring 3 and above (3.5 and above for Writing+) on the Reading, Mathematics, Writing+ and Science FCAT tests for 2008 and prior years. Students scoring at Achievement Levels 3, 4 and 5 in Reading or Mathematics are considered on grade level, proficient or advanced. Students that score 3.5 and above on the FCAT Writing+ essay have scored at or above a minimally acceptable level. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is based on Florida s curriculum frameworks, the Sunshine State Standards. DISTRICT PERCENT SCORING THREE AND ABOVE Grade Reading Mathematics Level Writing+ (3.5 and above) Essay Science NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 11 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA FCAT COMPARISONS SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS Grade Level Math Reading Writing Science Marion State Marion State Marion State Marion State NA NA NA NA

26 FCAT Tests Go Public Florida s Department of Education makes FCAT tests from previous years available to the public. The 2007 reading and mathematics tests for fifth and sixth grades and the science test for eighth grade are actual tests taken by students and no longer in use. In addition to the tests, the DOE releases test answer keys, a fact sheet explaining uses for the test, a document explaining how to score the released tests, and Frequently Asked Questions. Released tests are identical to those taken by students, except for questions to be used on future exams. Parents and teachers can use the released tests as additional resources to increase students comfort level and familiarity with Florida s accountability measures. The released tests can also be used to illustrate the length of an actual exam and the variety of the questions, in addition to providing a test-like experience prior to actually taking a real test. Test questions are written according to specific guidelines developed by Florida educators and are designed to assess how well students are meeting or exceeding the Sunshine State Standards. Questions are reviewed and revised by teachers, curriculum experts and school and district administrators to ensure they are appropriate for the grade level tested. Each year, more than 500 classroom teachers, special education teachers, English language learning instructors, administrators, curriculum specialists, policy leaders, college and university experts, school board members, and parents take part in the question review process. The Department began releasing full-length FCAT tests in 2005, starting with grades four, eight and ten reading and mathematics tests. The released FCAT tests, as well as supporting documents, can be found at *Please note: As measures of developed verbal and mathematical abilities important for success in college, test scores are useful in making decisions about individual students and assessing their academic preparation. Using these scores in aggregate form as a measure to rank or rate teachers, educational institutions, districts, or states is invalid because it does not include all students. Excerpted from Guidelines on the Uses of College Board Test Scores and Related Data, College Entrance Examination Board, Stanford 10 Achievement Tests All students in grades one and two participate. Test scores are reported as a mean scale score. In 2008, Marion County schools outperformed the national mean scale score in both categories tested at both grade levels. GRADE Reading Math Marion County Nation College Entrance Exams* The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the ACT (American College Test) are optional college entrance exams for college-bound students. Offered throughout the year, these tests measure critical reading, writing and math reasoning skills or abilities related to college performance. SAT scores range from with separate verbal and math scores. ACT scores range from 1 to 36 in English, math, reading and science reasoning, along with a composite score. SAT (2007 Scores) ACT (2007 Scores) GRADE Reading Math Marion County Nation Critical Reading Math Writing Marion County Florida Nation Composite Score Marion County Florida Nation