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Average

#1769 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 47% in state

Walton High School

High School · WALTON

449 WALTON RD, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

Enrollment

898

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Defuniak Springs

#6 of 8

public schools

Florida high schools

#114 of 748

In district

#15 of 18

WALTON

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Walton High School

Walton High School serves 898 students in grades 9-12 in DeFuniak Springs, offering a traditional public education experience with a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 and 48 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 42nd percentile among Florida high schools, with 48% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, indicating areas with room for academic growth. Located on Walton Road, the school operates within a community where the median household income is $50,424 and median home values average $111,300.

The surrounding area faces some economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 19.8% and 13% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, factors that often influence educational outcomes and resources available to students. As a comprehensive high school in this town setting, Walton High School serves families throughout the 32433 ZIP code area, which has a population of 18,387 residents. The school provides educational opportunities for teenagers in this northwest Florida community, working to prepare students for their post-secondary goals despite the socioeconomic challenges present in the region.

DeFuniak Springs offers a small-town atmosphere where the high school plays a central role in the community's educational landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Reading vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,790

Walton High School — Students at Walton High School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 56.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.3%
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
61%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
53%
2024
ELA
48.5%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Walton High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
53th percentile in FL
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

449 WALTON RD, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WALTON LEARNING CENTER (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PONCE DE LEON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Ponce De Leon), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Florala High School (rated 6.0/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Florala), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Defuniak Springs, see our Defuniak Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.4 mi
School Distance Rating
WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) Defuniak Springs 0.1 mi 6.6
MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 0.5 mi 8.8
WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 1.5 mi 8.8
WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 2.1 mi 8.3
WALTON VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Defuniak Springs 2.1 mi
WALTON VIRTUAL SCHOOL WCSD Defuniak Springs 2.1 mi
WALTON ACADEMY INC. Defuniak Springs 2.2 mi 5.0
WALTON LEARNING CENTER Defuniak Springs 2.5 mi 7.0
PONCE DE LEON HIGH SCHOOL Ponce De Leon 9.7 mi 6.1
PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponce De Leon 9.8 mi 7.5
FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport 13.7 mi 4.8
MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 12.3 mi 8.3
FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport 16.1 mi 8.6
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport 16.6 mi 8.1
WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport 17.1 mi
PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton 19.3 mi 6.9
SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport 20.6 mi
CARYVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Caryville 19.2 mi
Florala High School Florala 22.0 mi 6.0
WS Harlan Elementary School Lockhart 23.4 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 Walton High 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
CRESCENT CITY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Crescent City, FL 6.6
MEDICAL ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (M.A.S.T.) @ HOM Homestead, FL 6.6
TRINITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Winter Park, FL 6.6
CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Clearwater, FL 6.5
CROOMS ACADEMY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Sanford, FL 6.5
GADSDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Havana, FL 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walton High School

What grades does Walton High School serve?

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

How many students attend Walton High School?

Walton High School has an enrollment of approximately 898 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Walton High School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walton High School rank in FL?

Walton High School is ranked #1769 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Walton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walton High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Walton High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walton High School has 56.5% math proficiency and 51.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Walton High School a charter school?

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

Is Walton High School a Title I school?

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

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

67.1% of students at 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

City Safety
High (2,623/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
898
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Walton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WALTON
District Enrollment
11,779
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,721
District Rank
#15 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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