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
Enrollment
872
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Emerald Coast Middle School — Students at Emerald Coast Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Emerald Coast Middle School Compares
See how Emerald Coast Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 70% (2019) to 70% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 65% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (850) 622-5025
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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