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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Walton County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 11,779 students in Walton County, FL (there are 10 private schools, serving 915 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Walton County, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
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 53%), 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 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public 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.
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
Contracted Residential Services
Special Education School
101a Business Center Dr
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
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Freeport Learning Center
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

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?
92% of all K-12 students in Walton County are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
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 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Walton County are often viewed compared to one another?

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