For the 2024-25 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 11,575 students in Walton County, FL (there are 15 private schools, serving 940 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Walton County, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 86%).
The top ranked public schools in Walton County, FL are Seaside Neighborhood School, Van R. Butler Elementary School and Dune Lakes Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Walton County, FL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 67% (versus the Florida public school average of 52%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Walton County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Florida public schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Walton County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Seaside Neighborhood School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 97% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
10 Smolian Circle
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 231-0396
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 231-0396
Grades: 5-12
| 403 students
Rank: #22.
Van R. Butler Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6694 W County Highway 30a
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5040
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5040
Grades: K-5
| 1,013 students
Rank: #33.
Dune Lakes Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6565 Us Highway 98 E
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5012
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5012
Grades: K-5
| 928 students
Rank: #44.
South Walton High School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
645 Greenway Trl
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5020
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5020
Grades: 9-12
| 1,235 students
Rank: #55.
Emerald Coast Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4019 Us Highway 98e
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5025
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5025
Grades: 6-8
| 868 students
Rank: #66.
Mossy Head School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13270 Us Highway 90 W
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1290
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1290
Grades: PK-5
| 439 students
Rank: #77.
Paxton School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21893 Us Highway 331 N
Paxton, FL 32538
(850) 892-1230
Paxton, FL 32538
(850) 892-1230
Grades: PK-12
| 819 students
Rank: #88.
Freeport Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
12615 Us Highway 331 S
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1200
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1200
Grades: 9-12
| 557 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Freeport Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
360 Kylea Laird Dr
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
Grades: 5-8
| 700 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
West Defuniak Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
815 Lincoln Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1250
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1250
Grades: K-5
| 669 students
Rank: #1111.
Freeport Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15381 Us Highwayy 331 S
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
Grades: PK-4
| 1,123 students
Rank: #1212.
Walton High School
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
449 Walton Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1270
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1270
Grades: 9-12
| 856 students
Rank: #1313.
Walton Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
605 Bruce Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1281
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1281
Grades: 6-8
| 801 students
Rank: #1414.
Maude Saunders Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
416 John Baldwin Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1260
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1260
Grades: K-5
| 553 students
Rank: #1515.
Walton Virtual School Wcsd
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Grades: K-12
| 6 students
Rank: #1616.
Walton Virtual Franchise
Magnet School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Grades: 6-12
| 31 students
Rank: #1717.
Walton Learning Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
286 Gene Hurley Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 520-4656
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 520-4656
Grades: 6-12
| 29 students
Rank: #1818.
Walton Initiative For Success In Education (Wise)
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
555 Walton Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1111
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1111
Grades: PK-12
| 215 students
Rank: #1919.
Walton Academy Inc.
Alternative School
Magnet School
Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
389 Dorsey Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-3999
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-3999
Grades: 5-12
| 181 students
Rank: n/an/a
Bay School
Magnet School
118 Gilmore St
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5050
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5050
Grades: PK
| 146 students
Rank: n/an/a
Contracted Residential Services
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
1015 Mar Walt Dr
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
(850) 863-4160
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
(850) 863-4160
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Emerald Coast Technical College
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
761 N 20th St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1240
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1240
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Walton County Jail Program
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Grades: 6-12
| 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
Walton Virtual School Full Time
Magnet School
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Walton County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Chautauqua Learn And Serve At The Arc Of Walton County Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
Charter School
Charter School
1408 A Highway 83 N
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-5013
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-5013
Grades: 12
| 5 students
Non-enrolled Prek Elementary School (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1161
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1161
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Walton County Superintendent's Office (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
0145 Park Street, Suite #2
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-110
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-110
Grades: PK-5
| 9 students
Wlc Intensive Halfway House (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
286 Gene Hurley Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-8580
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-8580
Grades: 6-12
| 15 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Walton County, FL?
The top ranked public schools in Walton County, FL include Seaside Neighborhood School, Van R. Butler Elementary School and Dune Lakes Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Walton County?
24 public schools are located in Walton County.
What percentage of students in Walton County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Walton County are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Walton County?
Walton County public schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Walton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Walton County include: Freeport Senior High School vs. South Walton High School, Dune Lakes Elementary School vs. Van R. Butler Elementary School, South Walton High School vs. Freeport Senior High School
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