Top Rankings
Walton School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 10%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public elementary schools serving 8,833 students in Walton School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public elementary schools in Florida.
Public Elementary Schools in Walton School District have an average math proficiency score of 68% (versus the Florida public elementary school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public elementary school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (FL)
# Schools
24 Schools
3,488 Schools
# Students
11,779 Students
2,038,029 Students
# Teachers
746 Teachers
118,158 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
District Rank
Walton School District, which is ranked within the top 10% of all 73 school districts in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 97% has increased from 82% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#6 out of 73 school districts
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
52%
Graduation Rate
97%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.71
# American Indian Students
58 Students
5,108 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
137 Students
57,983 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
2,142 Students
757,879 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
37%
# Black Students
578 Students
426,370 Students
% Black Students
5%
21%
# White Students
8,258 Students
697,092 Students
% White Students
70%
34%
# Hawaiian Students
17 Students
3,394 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
589 Students
90,203 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
369
60,744
# Students in K Grade:
830
195,094
# Students in 1st Grade:
894
204,872
# Students in 2nd Grade:
949
211,537
# Students in 3rd Grade:
908
217,908
# Students in 4th Grade:
882
214,300
# Students in 5th Grade:
850
205,644
# Students in 6th Grade:
844
210,929
# Students in 7th Grade:
859
214,610
# Students in 8th Grade:
890
209,847
# Students in 9th Grade:
992
24,319
# Students in 10th Grade:
932
24,087
# Students in 11th Grade:
844
21,774
# Students in 12th Grade:
736
22,364
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,966 is higher than the state median of $11,962. The school district revenue/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,668 is higher than the state median of $11,615. The school district spending/student has declined by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$153 MM
$34,349 MM
Spending
$149 MM
$33,354 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,966
$11,962
Spending / Student
$12,668
$11,615
Best Walton School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Seaside Neighborhood 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
| 440 students
Rank: #22.
Van R. Butler Elementary 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
| 950 students
Rank: #33.
Dune Lakes Elementary 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
| 919 students
Rank: #44.
Emerald Coast Middle 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
| 872 students
Rank: #55.
Mossy Head 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
| 504 students
Rank: #66.
Paxton 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
| 795 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Freeport Middle 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
| 678 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
West Defuniak Elementary 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
| 699 students
Rank: #99.
Freeport Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15381 Us Highway 331 S
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
Grades: PK-4
| 1,161 students
Rank: #1010.
Walton Middle 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
| 775 students
Rank: #1111.
Maude Saunders Elementary 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
| 561 students
Rank: #1212.
Walton Virtual School Wcsd
(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
| 7 students
Rank: #1313.
Walton Virtual Franchise
(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
| 21 students
Rank: #1414.
Walton Learning Center
Alternative 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
| 34 students
Rank: #1515.
Walton Initiative For Success In Education (Wise)
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
555 Walton Rd, Wise Campus
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1111
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1111
Grades: PK-12
| 247 students
Rank: #1616.
Walton Academy Inc.
Alternative School
Charter 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
| 170 students
Rank: n/an/a
Walton County Jail Program
Alternative School
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
