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Excellent

#357 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 9% in state

Mossy Head School

Elementary School · WALTON

13270 US HIGHWAY 90 W, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

Enrollment

504

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Defuniak Springs

#4 of 8

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#327 of 2,196

In district

#6 of 18

WALTON

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Mossy Head School

Mossy Head School is a public elementary school in Defuniak Springs, FL, part of the WALTON. The school serves approximately 504 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.6th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 9 points above the state average and 58% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.2/10). 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 distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Mossy Head 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 Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg+11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+34.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,790

Mossy Head School — Students at Mossy Head School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.8%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 58.4%
School
State
54.2%

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
65%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
65.7%
ELA
58.7%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Mossy Head School Compares

See how Mossy Head School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
91th percentile in FL
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

13270 US HIGHWAY 90 W, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mossy Head School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 11.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 12.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WALKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Crestview), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Defuniak Springs, see our Defuniak Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
WALTON LEARNING CENTER Defuniak Springs 9.9 mi 7.0
WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 11.5 mi 8.8
OKALOOSA YOUTH ACADEMY Crestview 11.7 mi 3.2
OKALOOSA REGIONAL DETENTION Crestview 11.8 mi 4.1
ADJUDICATED YOUTH FACILITY Crestview 11.8 mi
CRESTVIEW YOUTH ACADEMY Crestview 11.8 mi
CRESTVIEW YOUTH ACADEMY (NON SECURE) Crestview 11.8 mi
MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 12.2 mi 8.8
WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) Defuniak Springs 12.2 mi 6.6
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crestview 12.2 mi 6.3
WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 12.3 mi 6.6
SHOAL RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Crestview 12.4 mi 7.0
WALKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crestview 12.8 mi 7.6
WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 13.1 mi 8.3
PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton 16.0 mi 6.9
WALTON VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Defuniak Springs 13.8 mi
WALTON VIRTUAL SCHOOL WCSD Defuniak Springs 13.8 mi
ROCKY BAYOU CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Crestview 13.8 mi 6.5
SOUTHSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL Crestview 13.9 mi 7.6
CRESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Crestview 14.0 mi 3.8

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 Mossy Head 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
AVOCADO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Homestead, FL 8.3
BAY POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL 8.3
CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland, FL 8.3
DOUGLAS L. JAMERSON JR. ELEMENTARY St. Petersburg, FL 8.3
FELLSMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fellsmere, FL 8.3
GLORIA FLOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mossy Head School

What grades does Mossy Head School serve?

Mossy Head School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mossy Head School?

Mossy Head School has an enrollment of approximately 504 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mossy Head School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mossy Head School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mossy Head School rank in FL?

Mossy Head School is ranked #357 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Mossy Head School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mossy Head School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Mossy Head School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mossy Head School has 66.8% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mossy Head School a charter school?

No, Mossy Head School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mossy Head School a Title I school?

No, Mossy Head School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mossy Head School?

85.7% of students at Mossy Head 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
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,623/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Defuniak Springs). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
504
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant 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
#6 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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