For the 2025 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 11,779 students in Walton County, FL (there are , serving 940 private students). 93% 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, Dune Lakes Elementary School and Van R. Butler 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 71% (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 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best 51±¬ÁÏs in Walton County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Seaside Neighborhood School
Charter School
(Math: 96% | 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
Gr: 5-12 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Dune Lakes Elementary School
(Math: 79% | 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
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:
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
Gr: K-5 | 950 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
South Walton High School
(Math: 73% | 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
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:
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
Gr: 6-8 | 872 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
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
Gr: PK-12 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #77.
Freeport Senior High School
(Math: 72% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
West Defuniak Elementary School
(Math: 71% | 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
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
13270 Us Highway 90 W
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1290
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
15381 Us Highway 331 S
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1210
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
360 Kylea Laird Dr
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
605 Bruce Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1281
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
449 Walton Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1270
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
416 John Baldwin Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1260
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
145 S Park St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Gr: K-12 | 7 students
Rank: #1616.
Walton Virtual Franchise
(Math: <50% | 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
Gr: 6-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1717.
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
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:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
555 Walton Rd, Wise Campus
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1111
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
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | 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
Gr: 5-12 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 57:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: n/an/a
118 Gilmore St
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5050
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5050
Gr: PK | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
Contracted Residential Services
Special Education School
101 A Business Center Dr
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
(850) 863-4160
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
(850) 863-4160
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Emerald Coast Technical College
Vocational School
761 N 20th St
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-1240
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
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
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
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1100
Gr: K-12
Walton County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Chautauqua Learn And Serve At The Arc Of Walton County Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1408 A Highway 83 N
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-5013
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-5013
Gr: 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
Gr: PK
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
Gr: PK-5 | 9 students Minority enrollment: 56%
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
Gr: 6-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
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, Dune Lakes Elementary School and Van R. Butler Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Walton County?
25 public schools are located in Walton County.
What percentage of students in Walton County go to public school?
93% 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 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public schools average of 66% (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, Van R. Butler Elementary School vs. Dune Lakes Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex 51±¬ÁÏs are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
