For the 2025-26 school year, there are 13 public middle schools serving 4,039 students in Walton County, FL.
The top ranked public middle schools in Walton County, FL are Seaside Neighborhood School, Emerald Coast Middle 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 middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the Florida public middle school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 52% statewide average). Middle schools in Walton County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Florida public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Walton County (2025-26)
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.
Emerald Coast Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4019 Us Highway 98e
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5025
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5025
Gr: 6-8 | 872 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
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 Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
360 Kylea Laird Dr
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 892-1220
Gr: 5-8 | 678 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #55.
Walton Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
605 Bruce Ave
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1281
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-1281
Gr: 6-8 | 775 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 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
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 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (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 middle schools in Walton County, FL?
The top ranked public middle schools in Walton County, FL include Seaside Neighborhood School, Emerald Coast Middle School and Paxton School.
How many public middle schools are located in Walton County?
13 public middle schools are located in Walton County.
What is the racial composition of students in Walton County?
Walton County public middle schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Walton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Walton County include: Walton Middle School vs. Freeport Middle School, Freeport Middle School vs. Emerald Coast Middle School, Freeport Middle School vs. Walton Middle School
Recent Articles
10 Advantages of Public Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.
COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.
