Excellent
#125 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 3% in state
West Defuniak Elementary School
Elementary School · WALTON
815 LINCOLN AVE, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
699
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Defuniak Springs
#1 of 8
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#117 of 2,196
In district
#1 of 18
WALTON
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About West Defuniak Elementary School
West Defuniak Elementary School is a public elementary school in Defuniak Springs, FL, part of the WALTON. The school serves approximately 699 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.7th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 68% proficiency in math, 10 points above the state average and 61% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.8/10). 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 fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Defuniak Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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West Defuniak Elementary School — Students at West Defuniak Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 8.8/10.
How West Defuniak Elementary School Compares
See how West Defuniak Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 68% (2019) to 67% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
815 LINCOLN AVE, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Defuniak Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Freeport), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 11.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Defuniak Springs, see our Defuniak Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WALTON INITIATIVE FOR SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (WISE) Defuniak Springs | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 1.9 mi | 8.8 |
| WALTON LEARNING CENTER Defuniak Springs | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| WALTON VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Defuniak Springs | 2.3 mi | — |
| WALTON VIRTUAL SCHOOL WCSD Defuniak Springs | 2.3 mi | — |
| WALTON ACADEMY INC. Defuniak Springs | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| PONCE DE LEON HIGH SCHOOL Ponce De Leon | 10.7 mi | 6.1 |
| PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ponce De Leon | 10.7 mi | 7.5 |
| FREEPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Freeport | 12.5 mi | 4.8 |
| MOSSY HEAD SCHOOL Defuniak Springs | 11.5 mi | 8.3 |
| FREEPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Freeport | 14.8 mi | 8.6 |
| FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL Freeport | 15.4 mi | 8.1 |
| WESTONWOOD RANCH Freeport | 15.6 mi | — |
| SWEETBAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Freeport | 19.3 mi | — |
| PAXTON SCHOOL Paxton | 20.0 mi | 6.9 |
| CARYVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Caryville | 20.2 mi | — |
| Florala High School Florala | 22.7 mi | 6.0 |
| SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach | 23.9 mi | 6.7 |
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 West Defuniak Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| BAUDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seminole, FL | 8.8 |
| BAY VISTA FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL | 8.8 |
| BLUE LAKE ELEMENTARY Boca Raton, FL | 8.8 |
| BRADEN RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 8.8 |
| BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.8 |
| CITRUS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Defuniak Elementary School
What grades does West Defuniak Elementary School serve?
West Defuniak Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend West Defuniak Elementary School?
West Defuniak Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 699 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Defuniak Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Defuniak Elementary School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Defuniak Elementary School rank in FL?
West Defuniak Elementary School is ranked #125 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is West Defuniak Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Defuniak Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 West Defuniak Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Defuniak Elementary School has 68.2% math proficiency and 61.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Defuniak Elementary School a charter school?
No, West Defuniak Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Defuniak Elementary School a Title I school?
No, West Defuniak Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Defuniak Elementary School?
70.7% of students at West Defuniak Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Defuniak Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 699
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Walton County
- Phone
- (850) 892-1250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WALTON- District Enrollment
- 11,779
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,721
- District Rank
- #1 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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