Skip to main content

Excellent

#356 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 9% in state

Walton Middle School

Middle School · WALTON

605 BRUCE AVE, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435

Enrollment

775

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

8.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Defuniak Springs

#3 of 8

public schools

Florida middle schools

#11 of 573

In district

#5 of 18

WALTON

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Walton Middle School

Walton Middle School is a public middle school in Defuniak Springs, FL, part of the WALTON. The school serves approximately 775 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. 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 61% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 52% in reading/language arts, 0 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $63,017, where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant town setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,790

Walton Middle School — Students at Walton Middle School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.8%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 52.2%
School
State
51.8%

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
51%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2024
Math
62.7%
ELA
53.3%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Walton Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
91th percentile in FL
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

605 BRUCE AVE, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walton Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Freeport), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Defuniak Springs, see our Defuniak Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WALTON VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Defuniak Springs 1.0 mi
WALTON VIRTUAL SCHOOL WCSD Defuniak Springs 1.0 mi
WALTON ACADEMY INC. Defuniak Springs 1.1 mi 5.0
WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 1.7 mi 8.8
WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 2.1 mi 6.6
WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) Defuniak Springs 2.2 mi 6.6
MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 2.6 mi 8.8
WALTON LEARNING CENTER Defuniak Springs 3.4 mi 7.0
PONCE DE LEON HIGH SCHOOL Ponce De Leon 9.3 mi 6.1
PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponce De Leon 9.3 mi 7.5
FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport 11.7 mi 4.8
FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport 14.1 mi 8.6
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport 14.7 mi 8.1
MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL Defuniak Springs 13.1 mi 8.3
WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport 15.4 mi
SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport 18.6 mi
CARYVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Caryville 19.0 mi
PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton 21.4 mi 6.9
SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach 23.4 mi 6.7
SOUTH WALTON MONTESSORI ACADEMY Santa Rosa Beach 23.6 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32435 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,017

Median Home Value

$185,600

Median Rent

$742/mo

Population

6,359

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

82.9%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Walton Middle School has a median household income of $63,017. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,600, with a median rent of $742/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
CALLAHAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Callahan, FL 8.4
CLEARWATER FUNDAMENTAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Clearwater, FL 8.1
FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport, FL 8.1
TERRACE COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL 7.9
VENICE MIDDLE SCHOOL Venice, FL 7.9
ROWLETT MIDDLE ACADEMY Bradenton, FL 7.8

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 is ranked #356 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Walton Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Walton Middle 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 Walton Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walton Middle School has 60.8% math proficiency and 52.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
775
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
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
#5 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.