Wyomina Park Elementary School opens early

[Photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Wyomina Park Elementary students, faculty and staff went back to school on Monday, July 22.

Kevin Christian, director of public relations for Marion County Public Schools, said the opening, which occurred about two weeks before other district schools are set to open, is part of a Florida Department of Education pilot year-round schedule.

A 2024-2025 year-round calendar, approved by the Marion County School Board on March 26, and available at marionschools.net, indicates week-long breaks in November and March 2025 for students and a 10-day Christmas holiday break, along with other breaks.

“WPE students attend 180 days, like all other students. Their major breaks like Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring, all coincide with traditional school year calendars, which begin Aug. 12 this year,” Christian wrote in an email.

There are 503 students enrolled at Wyomina Park. Community meetings were held “where stakeholders had an opportunity to provide feedback,” according to Chris Carlisle, director of governmental and community relations for Marion County Public Schools.

Wyomina is one of at least two Florida schools trying the schedule, with another in Brevard County, according to the school official. The impact of the year-round schedule on factors like student achievement will be evaluated.

The school is located at 511 NE 12th Ave., Ocala.  A post on the Ocala Police Department Facebook page reminded drivers to be “extra mindful and considerate” and to slow down for 20 mph school zones.