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
Enrollment
914
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Bluewater Elementary School — Students at Bluewater Elementary School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 86% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 81% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (850) 833-4240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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