HILLCREST

162 Students

High School 6th - 12th

School Overview

Hillcrest School, located in Ocala, Florida, is a specialized educational facility operated by the Marion County Public Schools district. It is dedicated to serving students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities, offering a highly structured environment tailored to meet the unique needs of learners who require intensive support. The school’s curriculum focuses on functional life skills, communication development, and sensory integration, ensuring that each student receives an individualized educational plan designed to maximize their independence and quality of life.

Beyond its core academic mission, Hillcrest is recognized for its compassionate and therapeutic approach to education. The staff typically includes a multidisciplinary team of educators, therapists, and support personnel who work collaboratively to provide essential services such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy. By fostering a nurturing atmosphere and maintaining close partnerships with families, Hillcrest strives to create an inclusive community where students are empowered to reach their personal goals within a safe and supportive setting.

162

Total Students

29.0

Full-Time Teachers

5.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

49.4%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for HILLCREST
Demographic	Student Count
White	74
Hispanic	50
Black	29
Two or More	8
American Indian	1

White
74 (45.7%)
Hispanic
50 (30.9%)
Black
29 (17.9%)
Two or More
8 (4.9%)
American Indian
1 (0.6%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Special Education School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	MARION
Phone:	(352)671-6800
Grade Range:	6th - 12th
Total Students:	162
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	29.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	5.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	77
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	3

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 15

Grade 7 16

Grade 8 14

Grade 9 10

Grade 10 22

Grade 11 23

Grade 12 62