Excellent
#474 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 13% in state
Walton Middle School
Middle School · Walton · Defuniak Springs, FL
A middle school in Defuniak Springs, FL where students score 18 points above what's typical for similar communities.
605 BRUCE AVE, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
- Math 63% vs FL 53% (2024)
- Reading 53% vs FL 52% (2024)
- 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Walton Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
2024 FAST proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. FL average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 8 points since 2020, reaching 58% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 59% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 53% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
76.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Walton Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 22Car-Dependent
- Bike 23Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,623/100K
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Defuniak Springs), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$63,017
Median home value
$185,600
Median rent
$742/mo
College educated
26.9%
Homeownership
82.9%
Poverty rate
16.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 32435; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walton Virtual School WcsdEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | K–12 | 1.0 mi | 7 | Compare → |
| Walton Initiative for Success in Education (wise)Enrollment path unverified | 7.3 | PK–12 | 2.2 mi | 247 | Compare → |
| Emerald Coast Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.6 | 6–8 | Not available | 872 | Compare → |
| Freeport Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.5 | 5–8 | Not available | 678 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Walton
- Schools in district
- 24
- Rank in district
- #2 of 18
- District spending per student
- $13,721NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 14.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Walton Middle School is listed in WALTON; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Walton Middle School
Walton Middle School is a public middle school in Defuniak Springs, FL, part of Walton, serving approximately 775 students in grades 6th-8th with a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #474 of 3,778 schools in FL. State assessment records show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Walton Middle School
What grades does Walton Middle School serve?
Walton Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Walton Middle School?
Walton Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 775 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walton Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walton Middle School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walton Middle School rank in FL?
Walton Middle School ranks #474 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Walton Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walton Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Walton Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Walton Middle School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Walton Middle School a charter school?
No, Walton Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walton Middle School a Title I school?
No, Walton Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walton Middle School?
76.1% of students at Walton Middle 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 775
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Walton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.0%
- Phone
- (850) 892-1281
- Area population (ZIP 32435)
- 6,359
- Area average commute
- 30.2 min
- Area median age
- 40.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 32435; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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