For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public high schools serving 4,536 students in Walton County, FL.
The top ranked public high schools in Walton County, FL are Seaside Neighborhood School, South Walton High School and Paxton School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Walton County, FL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the Florida public high school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Walton County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Florida public high schools.
Walton County, FL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the Florida average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is South Walton High School, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Florida or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public high school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Best ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High Schools 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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
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 ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (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 high schools in Walton County, FL?
The top ranked public high schools in Walton County, FL include Seaside Neighborhood School, South Walton High School and Paxton School.
How many public high schools are located in Walton County?
15 public high schools are located in Walton County.
What is the racial composition of students in Walton County?
Walton County public high schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public high schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Walton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Walton County include: Freeport Senior High School vs. South Walton High School, South Walton High School vs. Freeport Senior High School, Walton High School vs. Freeport Senior High School
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