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Average

#1666 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 44% in state

South Walton High School

High School · WALTON

645 GREENWAY TRL, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Enrollment

1,112

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Rosa Beach

#5 of 5

public schools

Florida high schools

#99 of 748

In district

#14 of 18

WALTON

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About South Walton High School

South Walton High School serves 1,112 students in grades 9-12 in Santa Rosa Beach, offering a solid educational experience in Florida's scenic Emerald Coast region. With 58 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides reasonably personalized attention for its high school students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 74th percentile statewide at #1011 out of 3816 Florida schools.

Students show solid achievement in English Language Arts and Reading, with 68% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. The school's 8.2 out of 10 academic score reflects its commitment to student learning and college preparation. South Walton High draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $99,081 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area's low poverty rate of 6.9% and median home values of $499,900 indicate a stable, well-resourced community that values education. Located on Greenway Trail in the 32459 ZIP code area, the school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with both natural beauty and community connections in one of Florida's most desirable coastal regions.

What's said publicly about South Walton High School

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

South Walton High School is a public high school located at 645 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 2 . The institution is operated by the Walton County School District 2 . Its athletic teams compete under the mascot name Seahawks 2 . The school's official website identifies the community as the "Hawk's Nest" and provides access to enrollment information and Superintendent updates 1 .
Sources (2)
  1. swh.walton.k12.fl.us
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Walton High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73%
Reading vs. State Avg+20.4 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation50.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,790

South Walton High School — Students at South Walton High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.8%
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
74%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
73%
2024
ELA
68%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How South Walton High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in FL
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers

Location

645 GREENWAY TRL, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Walton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Freeport), a more accessible option. Additionally, DESTIN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Destin), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Rosa Beach, see our Santa Rosa Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.7 mi
School Distance Rating
COMPASS ROSE ACADEMY INC Santa Rosa Beach 2.9 mi 7.3
THE TREE HOUSE EPISCOPAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 2.7 mi
LES PETITS PREP SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 3.6 mi
DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 3.8 mi 8.1
BAY SCHOOL Santa Rosa 3.8 mi 7.4
SOUTH WALTON MONTESSORI ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 3.8 mi 5.2
EMERALD COAST MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 4.2 mi 7.3
SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 4.7 mi 7.1
SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport 5.1 mi
VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 5.0 mi 8.5
SOUTH WALTON ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 7.4 mi 5.6
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport 8.9 mi 8.1
WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport 9.0 mi
FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport 9.5 mi 8.6
GATEWAY ACADEMY Miramar Beach 10.3 mi 5.9
FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport 12.0 mi 4.8
OHANA INSTITUTE Inlet Beach 12.2 mi 6.1
DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Destin 14.6 mi 6.9
BLUEWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niceville 16.1 mi 7.0
DESTIN HIGH SCHOOL Destin 15.7 mi 3.8

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 South Walton High 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
PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL Palmetto Bay, FL 6.7
COCOA BEACH JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Cocoa Beach, FL 6.8
HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula, FL 6.8
PAXON SCHOOL/ADVANCED STUDIES Jacksonville, FL 6.8
CRESCENT CITY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Crescent City, FL 6.6
TRINITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Winter Park, FL 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Walton High School

What grades does South Walton High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Walton High School?

South Walton High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,112 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Walton High School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Walton High School rank in FL?

South Walton High School is ranked #1666 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is South Walton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Walton High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 South Walton High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Walton High School has 67.5% math proficiency and 70.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Walton High School a charter school?

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

Is South Walton High School a Title I school?

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

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

20.6% of students at South Walton 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,112
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe 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
#14 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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