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 2026-27 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 12,007 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 53%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (FL)
# Schools
21 Schools
4,194 Schools
# Students
12,007 Students
2,850,186 Students
# Teachers
782 Teachers
154,729 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%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

71%
52%

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

60%
52%

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

65%
52%
55%
88%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(2022-23)
28.2%
33.8%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.49
0.70

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
3%

Showing 2012–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
20%
38%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
5%
21%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% White
69%
34%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,547 is higher than the state median of $14,419. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,737 is higher than the state median of $13,816. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
This School District
This State (FL)
Total Revenue
$223 MM
$41,097 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending
$213 MM
$39,380 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Revenue / Student
$18,547
$14,419

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending / Student
$17,737
$13,816

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Best Walton School District Public Schools (2026-27)

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 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 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 | 924 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
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 | 914 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 | 1,127 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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: 32%
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 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
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: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
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 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1010.
Freeport Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
160 Victory Blvd
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
Gr: K-4 | 1,120 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1111.
Freeport Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
160 Victory Blvd
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
Gr: 5-8 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
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 | 969 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1515.
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 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1616.
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 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
Bay School
118 Gilmore St
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5050
Gr: PK | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
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
360 Kylea Laird Dr
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1221
Gr: PK | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Magnet Innovation Center
Magnet School
133 South Watersound Pkwy
Inlet Beach, FL 32461
(850) 622-5020
Gr: 9-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Walton School District?
Walton School District manages 21 public schools serving 12,007 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?
69% of Walton School District students are White, 20% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, 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 $17,737 is higher than the state median of $13,816. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • District size: 21 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 12,007 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 31%
  • : 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

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