Marion County’s two new elementary schools named

Lori Conrad of the Marion County Public School Board speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new elementary school that will be built at Winding Oaks Farm off Southwest 49th Avenue Road in southwest Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The new school, which is not yet named, is expected to be completed in 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

The two new elementary schools in southwest Marion County have been officially named, paying tribute to the history of the areas and paving the way for their grand openings.

The Marion County School Board unanimously approved the names of both schools—with elementary school “W” christened as Ross Prairie Elementary and elementary school “Y” as Winding Oaks Elementary.

Both schools are identical and will each house up to 860 students. The 115,000-square-footschools will each have 43 classrooms. Both schools will have one two-story building made of concrete block construction and have minimal entry points for enhanced security.

“School ‘W’ is in close proximity to the Ross Prairie State Forest. The property was acquired in 1995 through the Longleaf Pine Uplands Project,” said Area Superintendent Melissa Kinnard. “Recreational opportunities in the forest include hiking, horseback riding, camping and hunting.”

Now known as Ross Prairie Elementary, the school is located at 14320 SW 70th Avenue Road in Marion Oaks.

“Elementary School ‘X’ is built on land with a rich equine history, originally established in 1960 as Tartan Farm by William McKnight,” said Kinnard. “The property contributed significantly to Florida’s thoroughbred industry.”

The property was purchased in1970 by Harry T. Mangurian Jr., who renamed it Mockingbird Farm.

“He also founded the Ocala Breeders’ Sales company, further impacting the industry,” Kinnard said. “In 2001, Eugene Melnick, owner of the Ottawa Senators (hockey team) and CEO of Biovail Corporation, bought the farm, now known as Winding Oaks Farm.”

Winding Oaks Elementary is located at 7200 SW 49th Avenue Road.

Kinnard also announced the official school business partners for both facilities.

Ross Prairie Elementary will be sponsored by Straight Line Construction for the 2025-26 school year, and Winding Oaks Elementary will be sponsored by Ausley Construction for the 2025-26 school year.