Walton County Schools & Education
Walton County, Florida
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
44/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,677
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
44/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#19
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Walton County
School Verdict
Walton County performs at an average level with a school score of 44/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.0%.
Funding Context
At $6,677 per pupil, Walton County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Walton County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 22% above the Florida average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Walton County, Florida
Expanding Education Across Walton's Growing Communities
Walton County supports 11,575 students across 23 public schools, managed by a single county-wide district. The landscape features six elementary schools, three middle schools, and nine high schools. This robust infrastructure reflects the diverse needs of a growing population.
Strong Results and Competitive Investment
The county earns a school score of 53.4, surpassing both the state average of 51.5 and the national median. Students achieve a 91.0% graduation rate, which is well above the national 87.0% benchmark. Walton invests $6,677 per pupil, exceeding the Florida state average of $6,118 to drive these positive outcomes.
Walton District and Charter Options
The Walton school district oversees the entire county, including two charter schools that make up nearly 9% of the local options. This district manages a total enrollment of 11,575 students across its various campuses. The inclusion of charter schools provides families with alternative specialized paths within the public system.
A Rural Landscape with Large Regional High Schools
The educational experience here is predominantly rural, with 18 of the 23 schools located in rural locales. South Walton High School stands as the largest institution with 1,235 students, while Freeport Elementary serves 1,123. The average school size of 551 students balances small-town intimacy with modern campus resources.
Invest in a Home Near Top-Performing Schools
Walton County’s combination of high graduation rates and strong per-pupil investment makes it a premier choice for home buyers with children. Neighborhoods near South Walton High or Freeport Elementary offer direct access to some of the county's largest and most successful schools. Finding a home here means joining a community that values and funds education.
School Overview
Total Schools
23
in Walton County
Total Enrollment
11,575
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
2
9% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Walton County
WALTON
23 Public Schools in Walton County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL | WALTON | 9–12 | High | 1,235 |
| FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WALTON | PK–4 | Primary | 1,123 |
| VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WALTON | KG–5 | Primary | 1,013 |
| DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WALTON | KG–5 | Primary | 928 |
| EMERALD COAST MIDDLE SCHOOL | WALTON | 6–8 | Middle | 868 |
| WALTON HIGH SCHOOL | WALTON | 9–12 | High | 856 |
| PAXTON SCHOOL | WALTON | PK–12 | Other | 819 |
| WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | WALTON | 6–8 | Middle | 801 |
| FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL | WALTON | 5–8 | Middle | 700 |
| WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WALTON | KG–5 | Primary | 669 |
| FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | WALTON | 9–12 | High | 557 |
| MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WALTON | KG–5 | Primary | 553 |
| MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL | WALTON | PK–5 | Primary | 439 |
| SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL | WALTON | 5–12 | Charter | 403 |
| WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) | WALTON | PK–12 | Alternative | 215 |
| WALTON ACADEMY INC. | WALTON | 5–12 | Charter | 181 |
| BAY SCHOOL | WALTON | PK | Other | 146 |
| WALTON VIRTUAL FRANCHISE | WALTON | 6–12 | High | 31 |
| WALTON LEARNING CENTER | WALTON | 6–12 | Alternative | 29 |
| WALTON VIRTUAL SCHOOL WCSD | WALTON | KG–12 | Other | 6 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,677
State avg $6,118
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Walton County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Walton County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Walton County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Walton County?
How much does Walton County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Walton County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Walton County, Florida?
Walton County supports 11,575 students across 23 public schools, managed by a single county-wide district. The landscape features six elementary schools, three middle schools, and nine high schools. This robust infrastructure reflects the diverse needs of a growing population.
How do schools in Walton County perform academically?
The county earns a school score of 53.4, surpassing both the state average of 51.5 and the national median. Students achieve a 91.0% graduation rate, which is well above the national 87.0% benchmark. Walton invests $6,677 per pupil, exceeding the Florida state average of $6,118 to drive these positive outcomes.
What are the major school districts in Walton County, Florida?
The Walton school district oversees the entire county, including two charter schools that make up nearly 9% of the local options. This district manages a total enrollment of 11,575 students across its various campuses. The inclusion of charter schools provides families with alternative specialized paths within the public system.
What is the school experience like in Walton County?
The educational experience here is predominantly rural, with 18 of the 23 schools located in rural locales. South Walton High School stands as the largest institution with 1,235 students, while Freeport Elementary serves 1,123. The average school size of 551 students balances small-town intimacy with modern campus resources.
How can I find homes near good schools in Walton County, Florida?
Walton County’s combination of high graduation rates and strong per-pupil investment makes it a premier choice for home buyers with children. Neighborhoods near South Walton High or Freeport Elementary offer direct access to some of the county's largest and most successful schools. Finding a home here means joining a community that values and funds education.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.