Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
Best Public Elementary Schools in Walton County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Walton County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public elementary schools serving 8,833 students in Walton County, FL.
The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Florida public elementary school average of 56%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 53% statewide average). Elementary schools in Walton County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Florida public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public elementary school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Walton County (2026)

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.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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
Contracted Residential Services
Special Education School
101a Business Center Dr
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
(850) 863-4160
Gr: 6-12
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

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Walton County, FL?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Walton County, FL include Seaside Neighborhood School, Dune Lakes Elementary School and Van R. Butler Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Walton County?
19 public elementary schools are located in Walton County.
What is the racial composition of students in Walton County?
Walton County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public elementary schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Walton County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (FL):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Florida Top-Ranked Public Schools
Florida Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Transfer Pathways Between Public School Districts — 2025 Guide
Transfer Pathways Between Public School Districts — 2025 Guide
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons

More Articles

Evaluating Public Schools
Local School Topics
Opinion
Scholarships
Parenting and Learning Issues