Madison Street Academy Ocala: Full Guide (2026)
Madison Street Academy is Marion County's top public elementary. Magnet lottery odds: kindergarten 40-50%, grades 1-5 just 5-15%. Full application guide.
Madison Street Academy of Visual & Performing Arts is the highest-rated public elementary school in Marion County. Niche grade A, FL DOE Grade A in 2023-24. It's a magnet program, not a standard zoned school, which means the application + selection process matters.
What Madison Street is
K-5 magnet school with arts integration across the curriculum. Students receive standard core academics plus dedicated time for visual arts, music, dance, and theater. Located at 401 NW 7th Ave, Ocala FL 34475.
Why families want in
- FL DOE Grade A consistently for 5+ years
- Niche overall grade: A; #1-rated public elementary in the county
- Arts-integration approach, particularly strong for creative/curious kids
- Lower student-teacher ratios than zoned alternatives
- Strong parent/teacher engagement
How to apply
Madison Street accepts applications through Marion County Public Schools' School Choice Application portal. Application window typically opens in late fall for the following school year. Selection is by lottery for available seats; siblings of current students get priority.
The application timeline
- October-November: School Choice Application window opens at marionschools.net/schoolchoice
- January-February: Lottery results announced
- February-April: Confirmation + enrollment
- August: Start of school year
The realistic odds
Madison Street is the most-applied-to magnet in the county. Acceptance rate varies by grade level:
- Kindergarten: most spots open; ~40-50% acceptance rate among applicants
- Grades 1-2: limited spots from kindergarten promotions; ~10-20% acceptance
- Grades 3-5: very limited; ~5-10% acceptance
Practical advice: apply for kindergarten if at all possible. Mid-elementary entry is unlikely.
The "what if we don't get in" plan
If Madison Street doesn't accept you, the strongest backup A-rated public elementaries in Marion County are:
- Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary (zoned to NW Ocala / 34475)
- Eighth Street Elementary (zoned to central / SE Ocala / 34471)
- Ina A. Colen Academy (K-8 charter; separate lottery application)
- Ward-Highlands Elementary (zoned to NE Ocala / 34470)
If your address zones to one of these, you have a strong public-school baseline even without the magnet acceptance.
Find your zoned school
Type your Ocala address. We'll show your zoned elementary, middle, and high school with FL DOE grades, plus the closest A-rated alternatives.
Look up your address →The honest verdict
Madison Street Academy is the highest-graded public school option in Marion County. It's worth applying. But because the lottery is competitive, don't make Madison Street your only school plan. Have a backup zoned school you'd be comfortable with, OR a private school option, before you commit to a home purchase.
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