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Very Good

#1118 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 30% in state

Emerald Coast Middle School

Middle School · WALTON

4019 US HIGHWAY 98E, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Enrollment

872

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Rosa Beach

#3 of 5

public schools

Florida middle schools

#68 of 573

In district

#10 of 18

WALTON

Equity

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Emerald Coast Middle School

Emerald Coast Middle School serves 872 students in grades 6-8 in the coastal community of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. With 49 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, allowing for reasonable class sizes that support individual attention. Academically, Emerald Coast Middle School demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10.

The school ranks in the 74th percentile among Florida middle schools, placing it at #1012 out of 3,816 schools statewide. Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 71% achieving proficiency or above, while 61% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. The school draws from a well-educated community where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding ZIP code of 32459 reflects an affluent area with a median household income of $99,081 and median home values of $499,900. With a low poverty rate of just 6.9%, the community of over 20,000 residents provides a stable foundation for student learning. Located on US Highway 98E, Emerald Coast Middle School sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of both natural beauty and community resources along Florida's scenic Emerald Coast.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Emerald Coast Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg+14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,790

Emerald Coast Middle School — Students at Emerald Coast Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.8%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
51.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
70%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
71.3%
ELA
61%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Emerald Coast Middle School Compares

See how Emerald Coast Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
70th percentile in FL
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

4019 US HIGHWAY 98E, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerald Coast Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Destin), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Santa Rosa Beach, see our Santa Rosa Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 0.6 mi 8.1
BAY SCHOOL Santa Rosa 0.6 mi 7.4
SOUTH WALTON MONTESSORI ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 0.8 mi 5.2
SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 3.0 mi 7.1
SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 4.2 mi 6.7
COMPASS ROSE ACADEMY INC Santa Rosa Beach 5.3 mi 7.3
SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport 6.1 mi
THE TREE HOUSE EPISCOPAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 6.8 mi
LES PETITS PREP SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 7.0 mi
OHANA INSTITUTE Inlet Beach 8.2 mi 6.1
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport 9.9 mi 8.1
VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 8.8 mi 8.5
FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport 10.4 mi 8.6
WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport 11.7 mi
FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport 12.8 mi 4.8
SOUTH WALTON ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 11.5 mi 5.6
GATEWAY ACADEMY Miramar Beach 14.3 mi 5.9
WEST BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Panama City Beach 16.0 mi 5.3
SURFSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City Beach 18.8 mi 6.3
DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Destin 18.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,067

Median Home Value

$613,100

Median Rent

$2,165/mo

Population

22,104

College Educated

48.2%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

46.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emerald Coast Middle School has a median household income of $101,067. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,100, with a median rent of $2,165/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% 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
C. W. RUCKEL MIDDLE SCHOOL Niceville, FL 7.3
FRUIT COVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint Johns, FL 7.3
HERON CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL North Port, FL 7.3
JOHN F. KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL Riviera Beach, FL 7.3
JORGE MAS CANOSA MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami, FL 7.3
WEST HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooksville, FL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerald Coast Middle School

What grades does Emerald Coast Middle School serve?

Emerald Coast Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Emerald Coast Middle School?

Emerald Coast Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 872 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerald Coast Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerald Coast Middle School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerald Coast Middle School rank in FL?

Emerald Coast Middle School is ranked #1118 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Emerald Coast Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerald Coast Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Emerald Coast Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerald Coast Middle School has 70.8% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emerald Coast Middle School a charter school?

No, Emerald Coast Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Emerald Coast Middle School a Title I school?

No, Emerald Coast Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerald Coast Middle School?

30.4% of students at Emerald Coast Middle 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
872
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Walton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WALTON
District Enrollment
11,779
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,721
District Rank
#10 of 18

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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