Walton School District

145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435-2909
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 10%

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%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 11,779 students in Walton School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public schools in Florida.
Public Schools in Walton School District have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the Florida public school average of 52%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (FL)
# Schools
24 Schools
4,272 Schools
# Students
11,779 Students
2,871,617 Students
# Teachers
746 Teachers
155,327 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

Student By Grade

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 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 55% has decreased from 87% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (FL)
#6 out of 73 school districts
(Top 10%)
71%
52%
60%
52%
65%
52%
55%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.48
0.70
% American Indian
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
18%
37%
% Black
5%
21%
% White
70%
35%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

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.
This School District
This State (FL)
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 Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Seaside Neighborhood School
Charter School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
10 Smolian Circle
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 231-0396
Gr: 5-12 | 440 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Dune Lakes Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6565 Us Highway 98 E
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5012
Gr: K-5 | 919 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Van R. Butler Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6694 W County Highway 30a
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5040
Gr: K-5 | 950 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
South Walton High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
645 Greenway Trl
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5020
Gr: 9-12 | 1,112 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
Emerald Coast Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4019 Us Highway 98e
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5025
Gr: 6-8 | 872 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Paxton School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
21893 Us Highway 331 N
Paxton, FL 32538
(850) 892-1230
Gr: PK-12 | 795 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #77.
Freeport Senior High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
12615 Us Highway 331 S
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1200
Gr: 9-12 | 677 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
West Defuniak Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
815 Lincoln Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1250
Gr: K-5 | 699 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #99.
Mossy Head School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
13270 Us Highway 90 W
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1290
Gr: PK-5 | 504 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Freeport Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
15381 Us Highway 331 S
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
Gr: PK-4 | 1,161 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1111.
Freeport Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
360 Kylea Laird Dr
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
Gr: 5-8 | 678 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1212.
Walton Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
605 Bruce Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1281
Gr: 6-8 | 775 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1313.
Walton High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
449 Walton Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1270
Gr: 9-12 | 898 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1414.
Maude Saunders Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
416 John Baldwin Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1260
Gr: K-5 | 561 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1515.
Walton Virtual School Wcsd
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Gr: K-12 | 7 students
Rank: #1616.
Walton Virtual Franchise
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Gr: 6-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1717.
Walton Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
286 Gene Hurley Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 520-4656
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1818.
Walton Initiative For Success In Education (Wise)
Alternative School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
555 Walton Rd, Wise Campus
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1111
Gr: PK-12 | 247 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1919.
Walton Academy Inc.
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
389 Dorsey Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-3999
Gr: 5-12 | 170 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 57:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: n/an/a
Bay School
118 Gilmore St
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5050
Gr: PK | 124 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
Emerald Coast Technical College
Vocational School
761 N 20th St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1240
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Magnet Innovation Center
Magnet School
133 South Watersound Parkway
Inlet Beach, FL 32461
(850) 622-5020
Gr: 9-12 | 135 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
Walton County Jail Program
Alternative School
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Gr: K-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Walton School District?
Walton School District manages 24 public schools serving 11,779 students.
What is the rank of Walton School District?
Walton School District is ranked #6 out of 73 school districts in Florida (top 10%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Florida school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 10%), Highest math proficiency (Top 10%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest science proficiency (Top 10%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Walton School District?
70% of Walton School District students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Walton School District?
Walton School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is lower than the Florida state average of 18:1.
What is Walton School District's spending/student ratio?
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.

Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 24 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 11,779 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 30%
  • : 55% (Btm 50% in FL)
  • : Top 10%
  • : 71% (Top 10%)
  • : 60% (Top 20%)
  • : 65% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education

Quick Links