MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Marion County Public Schools announced that most schools will have different start and release times beginning when students return for the first day of classes this month.
Students will go back to school on Aug. 12 in Marion County, many with a different starting time than they are used to.
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These hours have been adjusted to allow for better management of the school bus transportation system and the implementation of a triple-tiered approach, where the same buses transport elementary student first, followed by separate runs for middle and high school students.
This change was initially proposed in February of this year and sparked controversy among parents and school officials.
However, this decision comes as a result of the district’s preparation to comply with a new law passed this year.
HB 733, which was signed into law last summer, requires district school boards to adopt new start times by 2026. Middle schools may not start before 8 a.m., and high schools may not begin before 8:30 a.m.
Listed below are the 2024-2025 school times for Marion County Public Schools.
Elementary
Bell time of 7:35 a.m. and 2:10 p.m.:
- Anthony
- Bellview
- Bellview-Santos
- College Park
- Dunnellon
- East Marion
- Eighth Street
- Emerald Shores
- Fessenden
- Greenway
- Hammett Bowen Jr.
- Harbour View
- Legacy
- Maplewood
- Marion Oaks
- Oakcrest
- Ocala Springs
- Reddick-Collier
- Romeo
- Saddlewood
- Shady Hill
- South Ocala
- Sparr
- Stanton-Weirsdale
- Sunrise
- Ward-Highlights
- Wyomina Park
Bell time of 7:45 a.m. and 2:05 p.m.:
- Dr. N.H. Jones
Bell time of 8 a.m. and 2:20 p.m.:
- Fordham Early Learning Academy
- Madison Street Academy
Bell time of 8 a.m. and 2:35 p.m.:
- Fort McCoy K-8
Middle
Bell time of 9:20 a.m. and 4:11 p.m.:
- Dunnellon
- Fort King
- Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks
- Howard
- Lake Weir
- Liberty
- North Marion
Bell time of 9:20 a.m. and 3:55 p.m.:
- Bellview
- Osceola
Bell time of 8 a.m. and 2:35 p.m.:
- Fort McCoy K-8
High
Bell time of 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.:
- Belleview
- Dunnellon
- Forest
- North Marion
- Vanguard
- West Port
Bell time of 8:35 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.:
- Lake Weir
Bell time of 9:05 a.m. and 3 p.m.:
- Hillcrest
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