Plans for a new Marion County high school have moved one step closer to reality after officials settled on a name for the facility: South Marion High School.
Located in the southwest portion of the community, the name is similar to another school within the district, North Marion High School, situated on the opposite end of the county.
A school district news release issued Sept. 10 states that the name was chosen by members of the school board at a recent meeting. More than 550 residents took part in two surveys conducted by school officials over the summer regarding the school’s name, officials said. Of the total, South Marion received more than 35% of the vote, officials said.
Breaking ground in December 2024, South Marion High School is expected to open its doors to the public for the 2026-2027 school year that begins in August, officials said.
The school will be located on 115 acres near Marion Oaks.
The cost for the new school is $165 million, which came from “dollars borrowed by the Marion County School Board and secured through Certificates of Participation, a popular financing method for government entities. Local millage proceeds will also pay some of the construction costs,” officials said.
Wharton-Smith Inc., a Central Florida construction company, was selected to build the school.
Controversy surrounded the bidding process for the new school with local company Ausley Construction expressing frustration about the process used to pick the best outlet for the project.
South Marion High will be the third new school built in the southern half of the county after two new elementary schools in the area opened last month. The reason for the construction is to take pressure of schools in that area of the county, officials said.
Considered one of the most populous regions of the county, South Marion will be built to accommodate a little more than 2,000 students, officials said.
Some of the building’s features will include a three-story structure that can expand to hold more than 2,700 students, two additional classroom buildings, 61 classrooms, 20 labs, room for more than 800 parking spots, an 800-seat performing arts auditorium, and multiple sports fields.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County School Board selects name for new high school set to open in 2026
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
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