Walton County Schools have ranked #1 in Florida for education two years running. Here’s what the rankings are based on and where to find official district info.
Short answer: yes, and the data backs it up consistently, not just in one report.
A #1 ranking, two years running
The Florida Policy Institute’s Child Well-Being Index has ranked Walton County #1 in education in Florida for two consecutive years, based on its 2025 report. The index evaluates all 67 Florida counties using four factors: preschool enrollment, fourth-grade English Language Arts scores, eighth-grade math scores, and high school graduation rates.
Steady, measurable improvement over time
This isn’t a one-off result. Since 2017, Walton County has climbed from 35th to 3rd in the state for academic testing, and the district’s graduation rate has improved by more than 20 percentage points over that same period. The most recent data puts Walton County’s graduation rate at 97.4%, ranking 2nd among all Florida counties.
An “A” district, consistently
The Walton County School District has earned an “A” district grade from the Florida Department of Education for multiple consecutive years running, one of a small handful of Florida districts to maintain that rating over time.
What this means if you’re building or buying here
For a family considering a permanent home in Santa Rosa Beach, this level of consistency across nearly a decade is a stronger signal than a single year’s ranking. It points to a school system that’s been improving steadily, not one that had a lucky testing year.
Private school options nearby
For families who prefer a private school setting, South Walton Academy sits right on Mack Bayou Road, a non-profit private school serving students from age 3 through 9th grade with small class sizes and an individualized curriculum. Other private options in the immediate area include: The Tree House Episcopal Montessori School, South Walton Montessori Academy, and Compass Rose Academy, giving families a genuine range of Montessori, faith-based, and small-classroom choices within a short drive of Mack Bayou, in addition to the area’s strong public school system.
Where to check current, official numbers
Rankings and grades are updated annually, so for the latest official figures, visit the Walton County School District’s official site directly.
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