Average
#1770 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 47% in state
Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)
School · WALTON
555 WALTON RD WISE CAMPUS, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Defuniak Springs
#7 of 8
public schools
Florida schools
#83 of 260
In district
#16 of 18
WALTON
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)
Walton Initiative for Success in Education, known as WISE, is an alternative school located in Defuniak Springs, Florida. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, WISE offers a unique educational environment with an enrollment of 247 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, ensuring individualized attention for each learner. The school's setting is in the heart of a small town, providing a close-knit community feel.
WISE focuses on supporting diverse learning needs through its alternative approach to education. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranking at #2847 among Florida’s schools, WISE has room for academic growth and improvement in areas like ELA/Reading (21% proficiency) and Math (22% proficiency). Despite the challenges reflected in these scores, the school continues to prioritize student development and well-being.
WISE is nestled within a supportive town community, making it an accessible choice for families looking for a personalized educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) — Students at Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 6.3/10.
How Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) Compares
See how Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 34.5% (2021).
Location
555 WALTON RD WISE CAMPUS, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) may also want to explore other schools in the area. MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Defuniak Springs, see our Defuniak Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WALTON HIGH SCHOOL 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 | 2.2 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 | 2.3 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 |
| FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport | 13.7 mi | 4.8 |
| MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 12.2 mi | 8.3 |
| FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport | 16.1 mi | 8.6 |
| FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport | 16.6 mi | 8.1 |
| WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport | 17.0 mi | — |
| PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton | 19.3 mi | 6.9 |
| SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport | 20.6 mi | — |
| CARYVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Caryville | 19.3 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 Initiative for Success in Education (wise) 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 |
|---|---|
| AMERICAN COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Clearwater, FL | 6.6 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 6.6 |
| GRACE AND GLORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chipley, FL | 6.6 |
| MASTER'S ACADEMY OF VERO BEACH Vero Beach, FL | 6.6 |
| ZEPHYRHILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Zephyrhills, FL | 6.6 |
| CALUSA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)
What grades does Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) serve?
Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)?
Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)?
The student-teacher ratio at Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) rank in FL?
Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) is ranked #1770 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)'s MySchoolScout rating?
Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) 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 Initiative for Success in Education (wise)?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) has 21.8% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) a charter school?
No, Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) a Title I school?
No, Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)?
81.8% of students at Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise) 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
- 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
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 247
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Walton County
- Phone
- (850) 892-1111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WALTON- District Enrollment
- 11,779
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,721
- District Rank
- #16 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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