Skip to main content

Average

#2306 of 3,777 schools in FL

Fort Walton Beach High School

High School · OKALOOSA

400 HOLLYWOOD BLVD SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Enrollment

1,558

Student-Teacher

20.8:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Walton Beach

#9 of 13

public schools

Florida high schools

#216 of 748

In district

#33 of 46

OKALOOSA

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Fort Walton Beach High School

Fort Walton Beach High School serves 1,558 students in grades 9-12 as a comprehensive public high school in Okaloosa County. With 75 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, providing a substantial learning environment for its diverse student body. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,177 out of 3,816 Florida high schools, placing it in the 43rd percentile statewide.

In English Language Arts and Reading, 52% of students perform at proficient or above levels across tested grades, indicating the school has room for academic growth as it works to support student achievement. Fort Walton Beach High School is situated at 400 Hollywood Boulevard SW in the heart of Fort Walton Beach, a small city setting that combines coastal charm with suburban convenience. The surrounding 32548 ZIP code area has a median household income of $61,037 and a median home value of $270,500, reflecting a stable middle-class community.

About 30% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 15.7% among the area's 23,575 residents. The school serves students from this established coastal Florida community, where military families and long-time residents create a unique blend of perspectives and experiences.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Walton Beach High School is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation35%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,590

Fort Walton Beach High School — Students at Fort Walton Beach High School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 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
68%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
58%
2024
ELA
52.5%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Fort Walton Beach High School Compares

See how Fort Walton Beach High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
39th percentile in FL
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
75 teachers

Location

400 HOLLYWOOD BLVD SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fort Walton Beach High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. OKALOOSA TECHNICAL COLLEGE (rated 6.3/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CHOCTAWHATCHEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fort Walton Beach, see our Fort Walton Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ANNETTE P. EDWINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 0.1 mi 6.9
SILVER SANDS-EXCEP. CHILDREN Fort Walton Beach 0.7 mi 4.6
MAX BRUNER JUNIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 0.6 mi 6.3
MARY ESTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mary Esther 1.0 mi 7.0
ST MARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 1.3 mi 7.5
ADVANCED SACRED HOPE ACADEMY Mary Esther 1.3 mi
MONTESSORI LEARNING CENTER Fort Walton Beach 1.5 mi 5.9
WRIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 1.8 mi 4.8
OKALOOSA ACADEMY Fort Walton Beach 1.8 mi 4.0
FIRST UNITED METHODIST SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 1.9 mi
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY & PRESCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 2.2 mi 7.1
OKALOOSA VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Fort Walton Beach 2.0 mi
NORTHWEST FLORIDA BALLET ACADEMIE Fort Walton Beach 2.2 mi 7.6
LOTUS LEARNING & ARTS CENTER Fort Walton Beach 2.6 mi 6.4
W. C. PRYOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 2.8 mi 6.2
ELLIOTT POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 2.6 mi 6.0
CHOCTAWHATCHEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 3.0 mi 5.8
LIZA JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 3.2 mi 7.0
KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 3.8 mi 7.4
OKALOOSA TECHNICAL COLLEGE Fort Walton Beach 4.2 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32548 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,857

Median Home Value

$291,000

Median Rent

$1,281/mo

Population

23,209

College Educated

30.9%

Homeownership

57.3%

Avg Commute

23.9 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fort Walton Beach High School has a median household income of $63,857. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,000, with a median rent of $1,281/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
CORAL SPRINGS CHARTER SCHOOL Coral Springs, FL 6.0
GULF COAST HIGH SCHOOL Naples, FL 6.0
J.R. ARNOLD HIGH SCHOOL Panama City Beach, FL 6.0
MAINLAND HIGH SCHOOL Daytona Beach, FL 6.0
MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY Lakeland, FL 6.0
SOUTH SUMTER HIGH SCHOOL Bushnell, FL 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fort Walton Beach High School

What grades does Fort Walton Beach High School serve?

Fort Walton Beach High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fort Walton Beach High School?

Fort Walton Beach High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,558 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Walton Beach High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fort Walton Beach High School is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fort Walton Beach High School rank in FL?

Fort Walton Beach High School is ranked #2306 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Fort Walton Beach High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Walton Beach High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Fort Walton Beach High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Walton Beach High School has 61.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fort Walton Beach High School a charter school?

No, Fort Walton Beach High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fort Walton Beach High School a Title I school?

No, Fort Walton Beach High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Walton Beach High School?

39.5% of students at Fort Walton Beach High 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,558
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
75
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Okaloosa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

OKALOOSA
District Enrollment
32,426
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,809
District Rank
#33 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.