Summary:
The city of Destin, Florida, is served by three public schools within the highly-rated Okaloosa County School District, which ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide. These schools include Destin Elementary School (grades PK-4), Destin Middle School (grades 5-8), and Destin High School (grades 9-12), with a combined enrollment of 2,308 students.
Destin Middle School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 82nd-84th percentile statewide. It dramatically outperforms its peers, especially in advanced math, with 93% proficiency in Algebra 1 and a perfect 100% in Geometry—far exceeding district and state averages. Destin Elementary School also excels, building a strong foundation with 87% proficiency in 4th-grade Math and 75% in 4th-grade ELA. In contrast, Destin High School is the weakest performer, with a 3-star rating and significant academic challenges, including an Algebra 1 proficiency of just 48%—less than half the middle school's rate. This sharp drop in performance from middle to high school is a key concern.
A major red flag is the high school's chronic absenteeism rate of 29.1%, nearly 10 points above the district average and 50% higher than the other two Destin schools, which likely contributes to its lower graduation rate (83.8% vs. district 91.0%). Interestingly, spending per student is nearly identical across all three schools (around $9,400-$9,600), yet outcomes vary widely, suggesting the high school's issues are not about funding but how resources are used. The middle school, in particular, appears highly efficient, delivering top-tier results with a similar budget. This data points to a potential disconnect in curriculum alignment and academic culture between the high school and its feeder schools.
Thank you for your feedback!