Very Good
#1422 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 38% 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
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,422 of 3,778
In Defuniak Springs
#6 of 8
public schools
In district
#15 of 18
WALTON
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Maude Saunders Elementary School
Elementary School in Defuniak Springs · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Walton High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Maude Saunders Elementary School
Maude Saunders Elementary School is a public elementary school in Defuniak Springs, FL, part of WALTON. Maude Saunders Elementary School serves approximately 561 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Maude Saunders Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,422 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Maude Saunders Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 7.8
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Maude Saunders Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Maude Saunders Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Maude Saunders Elementary School — Students at Maude Saunders Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
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 33 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: 6.0/10.
How Maude Saunders Elementary School Compares
See how Maude Saunders Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 12.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Freeport), with a very similar 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 | 7.3 |
| WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 2.6 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 4.5 |
| WALTON LEARNING CENTER Defuniak Springs | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| PONCE DE LEON HIGH SCHOOL Ponce De Leon | 9.9 mi | 7.4 |
| PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponce De Leon | 9.9 mi | 7.0 |
| MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 12.2 mi | 7.7 |
| FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport | 14.1 mi | 7.5 |
| FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport | 16.6 mi | 7.2 |
| FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport | 17.1 mi | 7.5 |
| WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport | 17.5 mi | — |
| PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton | 18.9 mi | 7.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ABESS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 7.0 |
| ARBOR RIDGE K-8 Orlando, FL | 7.0 |
| BUCK LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 7.0 |
| C. A. WEIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 7.0 |
| CHRISTA MCAULIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Bay, FL | 7.0 |
| EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clearwater, FL | 7.0 |
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 ranks #1,422 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Maude Saunders Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Maude Saunders Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Maude Saunders Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Maude Saunders Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.9%
- Phone
- (850) 892-1260
Resources & Links
District
WALTON- District Enrollment
- 11,779
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,721
- District Rank
- #15 of 18
How we rate schools
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