Excellent
#126 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 3% in state
Maude Saunders Elementary School
Elementary School · WALTON
416 JOHN BALDWIN RD, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Defuniak Springs
#2 of 8
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#118 of 2,196
In district
#2 of 18
WALTON
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Maude Saunders Elementary School
Maude Saunders Elementary School is a public elementary school in Defuniak Springs, FL, part of the WALTON. The school serves approximately 561 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.7th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math, 7 points below the state average and 50% in reading/language arts, 4 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $51,604, where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Maude Saunders Elementary 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
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Maude Saunders Elementary School — Students at Maude Saunders Elementary School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85%
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: 9.0/10.
How Maude Saunders Elementary School Compares
See how Maude Saunders Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 58% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 51% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
416 JOHN BALDWIN RD, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Maude Saunders Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Freeport), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 12.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Defuniak Springs, see our Defuniak Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) Defuniak Springs | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| WALTON VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Defuniak Springs | 2.5 mi | — |
| WALTON VIRTUAL SCHOOL WCSD Defuniak Springs | 2.5 mi | — |
| WALTON ACADEMY INC. Defuniak Springs | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| WALTON LEARNING CENTER Defuniak Springs | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| PONCE DE LEON HIGH SCHOOL Ponce De Leon | 9.9 mi | 6.1 |
| PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponce De Leon | 9.9 mi | 7.5 |
| MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 12.2 mi | 8.3 |
| FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport | 14.1 mi | 4.8 |
| FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport | 16.6 mi | 8.6 |
| FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport | 17.1 mi | 8.1 |
| WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport | 17.5 mi | — |
| PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton | 18.9 mi | 6.9 |
| SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport | 21.0 mi | — |
| CARYVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Caryville | 19.3 mi | — |
| Florala High School Florala | 21.6 mi | 6.0 |
| WS Harlan Elementary School Lockhart | 23.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32433 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,604
Median Home Value
$152,000
Median Rent
$1,045/mo
Population
18,970
College Educated
13.5%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
30.8 min
Poverty Rate
20.8%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Maude Saunders Elementary School has a median household income of $51,604. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,000, with a median rent of $1,045/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| BAUDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seminole, FL | 8.8 |
| BAY VISTA FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL | 8.8 |
| BRADEN RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 8.8 |
| CITRUS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.8 |
| DAVID FAIRCHILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 8.8 |
| DR. KIRAN C. PATEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Maude Saunders Elementary School
What grades does Maude Saunders Elementary School serve?
Maude Saunders Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Maude Saunders Elementary School?
Maude Saunders Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 561 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Maude Saunders Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Maude Saunders Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Maude Saunders Elementary School rank in FL?
Maude Saunders Elementary School is ranked #126 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Maude Saunders Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Maude Saunders Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Maude Saunders Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Maude Saunders Elementary School has 51.0% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Maude Saunders Elementary School a charter school?
No, Maude Saunders Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Maude Saunders Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Maude Saunders Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Maude Saunders Elementary School?
85.0% of students at Maude Saunders 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Defuniak Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 561
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Walton County
- Phone
- (850) 892-1260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WALTON- District Enrollment
- 11,779
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,721
- District Rank
- #2 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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