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Very Good

#1370 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 36% in state

Bluewater Elementary School

Elementary School · OKALOOSA

4545 RANGE RD, Niceville, FL 32578

Enrollment

914

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Niceville

#2 of 6

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#1,152 of 2,196

In district

#13 of 46

OKALOOSA

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Bluewater Elementary School

Bluewater Elementary School serves 914 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Niceville, Florida, establishing itself as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 and 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains manageable class sizes that support individualized attention. The school's academic excellence is evident in its impressive test scores, with 81% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 76% in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.

These strong results have earned Bluewater Elementary a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and a ranking of #343 out of 3,816 Florida elementary schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide with an academic score of 9.2 out of 10. Located at 4545 Range Road, Bluewater Elementary draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $101,422 and 43% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of just 8%, with median home values of $386,300 reflecting the area's desirability.

Bluewater Elementary School operates in Niceville's mid-size suburban setting within Okaloosa County, serving families in a thriving community that values educational achievement and provides strong support for student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Math vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,590

Bluewater Elementary School — Students at Bluewater Elementary School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 83.4%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 78.8%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
89%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
81%
2024
Math
80.7%
ELA
76.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How Bluewater Elementary School Compares

See how Bluewater Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in FL
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

4545 RANGE RD, Niceville, FL 32578

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bluewater Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EGLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Eglin Afb), which scores slightly higher. Another option is JAMES E PLEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, DESTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Destin), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Niceville, see our Niceville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PAUL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Niceville 2.7 mi 6.2
JAMES E PLEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niceville 3.0 mi 6.8
ROCKY BAYOU CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Niceville 3.6 mi 7.2
NICEVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Niceville 4.0 mi 6.3
C. W. RUCKEL MIDDLE SCHOOL Niceville 4.1 mi 7.3
ADDIE R. LEWIS SCHOOL Valparaiso 4.4 mi 6.6
COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL AT NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE Niceville 4.7 mi 6.0
EMERALD COAST AUTISM CENTER Niceville 4.9 mi
LULA J. EDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niceville 5.2 mi 6.0
OKALOOSA STEMM CENTER Valparaiso 5.2 mi 8.5
DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Destin 6.3 mi 6.9
DESTIN HIGH SCHOOL Destin 7.0 mi 3.8
DESTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Destin 7.5 mi 6.7
EGLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eglin Afb 7.7 mi 8.0
GATEWAY ACADEMY Miramar Beach 8.7 mi 5.9
SOUTH WALTON ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 10.0 mi 5.6
SHALIMAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shalimar 9.7 mi 6.2
CLIFFORD MEIGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Shalimar 10.2 mi 6.6
LONGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shalimar 10.2 mi 4.2
ELLIOTT POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 11.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32578 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,858

Median Home Value

$414,900

Median Rent

$1,744/mo

Population

33,948

College Educated

45%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bluewater Elementary School has a median household income of $105,858. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,900, with a median rent of $1,744/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
AVANT GARDE ACADEMY K-5 BROWARD Hollywood, FL 7.0
BEN SHEPPARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hialeah, FL 7.0
BERRYHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Milton, FL 7.0
BOB SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crestview, FL 7.0
BRADFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Starke, FL 7.0
CREATIVE INSPIRATION JOURNEY SCHOOL OF ST CLOUD St. Cloud, FL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bluewater Elementary School

What grades does Bluewater Elementary School serve?

Bluewater Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bluewater Elementary School?

Bluewater Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 914 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bluewater Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bluewater Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bluewater Elementary School rank in FL?

Bluewater Elementary School is ranked #1370 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Bluewater Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bluewater Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bluewater Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bluewater Elementary School has 83.4% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bluewater Elementary School a charter school?

No, Bluewater Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bluewater Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Bluewater Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bluewater Elementary School?

16.2% of students at Bluewater Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
914
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Okaloosa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

OKALOOSA
District Enrollment
32,426
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,809
District Rank
#13 of 46

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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