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Destin Elementary School

Q: Is Destin Elementary School a good school?

Destin Elementary School ranks 483 rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

483^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 78% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Destin Elementary School in Destin, FL, serves 910 students in grades PK-4 and is part of the highly-rated Okaloosa School District, which ranks in the top 20% of Florida districts. This school stands out for its exceptional 4th-grade math performance, with 87% of students proficient in the 2025-2026 school year—15 points higher than the district average and 22 points higher than the state average. This achievement is particularly impressive when compared to nearby schools like Bluewater Elementary School and James E. Plew Elementary School, which also have strong math scores but serve fewer students from economically diverse backgrounds. Destin Elementary also demonstrates strong academic growth from 3rd to 4th grade, with proficiency jumping 12 points in English Language Arts and 13 points in math over the past year, a trend that has been consistent for three years.

Despite these strengths, Destin Elementary faces challenges with chronic absenteeism, which sits at 19.2%—higher than top-performing peers like Bluewater (8.6%) and James E. Plew (12.1%). This rate is more in line with lower-performing schools in the area, such as Shalimar Elementary School (27.1%). The school also operates efficiently, spending $9,519 per student—the second-lowest among 10 nearby schools—while achieving better academic outcomes than schools that spend significantly more, like Kenwood Elementary School ($13,844) and Addie R. Lewis School ($13,780). This efficiency suggests effective resource allocation, even as the school’s state ranking has gradually declined from its peak in the mid-2010s.

Destin Elementary serves a moderate level of economic diversity, with 44.5% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, placing it between high-poverty schools like Wright Elementary School (67-81%) and low-poverty schools like Bluewater (21-28%). The school’s ability to achieve strong 4th-grade scores despite these headwinds highlights its effectiveness. As a PK-4 school, Destin prepares students exceptionally well for their transition to 5th grade, particularly in math, making it a strong feeder school for the district. Parents considering this school can expect a solid academic foundation, especially in math, with a focus on growth and efficiency, though they may want to support consistent attendance to maximize their child’s success.

910

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,519

Per pupil spending ?

44.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

630 Kelly St
Destin, FL 32541

(850) 833-4360

District: Okaloosa

Students who attend Destin Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Destin Middle School
High:	Fort Walton Beach High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

64.8%

Hispanic:

19.2%

Two or more races:

8.0%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Destin Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 94th percentile in 2016 → 78th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (75% vs 63% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 22% of Florida elementary schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 16 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school75%

District avg67%

Florida avg63%

483^rd of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 22%▼ down 15 pts since 2016

From top 6% (2016) to top 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 20Elementary Schools in the Okaloosa

12^th of 70Okaloosa among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	76.0	483 of 2240	78.4%	★★★★☆
2025	82.9	340 of 2258	84.9%	★★★★☆
2024	81.2	372 of 2256	83.5%	★★★★☆
2023	82.8	343 of 2240	84.7%	★★★★☆
2022	80.1	412 of 2219	81.4%	★★★★☆
2021	87.6	252 of 2247	88.8%	★★★★☆
2019	88.7	192 of 2182	91.2%	★★★★★
2018	90.0	149 of 2118	93.0%	★★★★★
2017	86.2	239 of 2112	88.7%	★★★★☆
2016	91.2	132 of 2087	93.7%	★★★★★
2014	91.8	107 of 2064	94.8%	★★★★★
2013	85.7	222 of 2029	89.1%	★★★★☆
2012	74.7	468 of 1984	76.4%	★★★★☆
2011	87.6	166 of 1985	91.6%	★★★★★
2010	90.5	92 of 1919	95.2%	★★★★★
2009	88.8	125 of 1847	93.2%	★★★★★
2008	92.6	60 of 1789	96.6%	★★★★★
2007	90.3	99 of 1786	94.5%	★★★★★
2006	93.9	58 of 1688	96.6%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math81%+15 vs state

English Language Arts69%+9 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, September 20, 2018

It is an absolutely amazing school !!!!
My daughter loves her teachers and the principle!!!
Thank you for everything. Close Quote

Schools Near Destin Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Destin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	630 Kelly St	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4360	910	53	17.1	44.5%	590 (64.8%)	49 (5.4%)	175 (19.2%)	21 (2.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	73 (8.0%)	76	483^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	78.4%		82.9	340^th of 2258 public elementary schools	84.9%	143	63.0	75.0					74.0	87.0										$9,519	$233	$9,286
Eglin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	200 Gaffney Rd	Eglin Afb	32542	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4320	436	25	17.4	31.9%	187 (42.9%)	61 (14.0%)	107 (24.5%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	77 (17.7%)	67.5	697^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.9%		68.9	667^th of 2258 public elementary schools	70.5%	30	69.0	62.0	68.0				67.0	80.0	70.0				64.0					$10,203	$338	$9,865
Shalimar Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Joe Martin Cir	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4339	557	32	17.4	68.8%	288 (51.7%)	52 (9.3%)	140 (25.1%)	12 (2.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (11.3%)	41.4	1363^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	39.2%		43.8	1249^th of 2258 public elementary schools	44.7%	114	41.0	44.0	70.0				66.0	51.0	63.0				59.0					$10,507	$809	$9,699
Addie R. Lewis School	Public	PK, KG-8	281 Mississippi Ave	Valparaiso	32580	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4130	653	45	14.5	47.8%	386 (59.1%)	68 (10.4%)	98 (15.0%)	10 (1.5%)	3 (0.5%)	4 (0.6%)	84 (12.9%)	62	834^th of 2240 public elementary schools	62.8%		52.6	1059^th of 2258 public elementary schools	53.1%	225	55.0	63.0	67.0	80.0	77.0	82.0	45.0	71.0	66.0	74.0	69.0	79.0	59.0	80.0	94.0	100.0	97.0	$13,780	$1,149	$12,632
Elliott Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Hughes St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3355	583	34	17.1	74.6%	263 (45.1%)	84 (14.4%)	159 (27.3%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	68 (11.7%)	38.9	1434^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.0%		37.3	1437^th of 2258 public elementary schools	36.4%	3	51.0	55.0	58.0				61.0	57.0	53.0				53.0					$11,650	$1,118	$10,533
Longwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	50 Holly Ave	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4329	555	34	16.3	76.6%	133 (24.0%)	65 (11.7%)	291 (52.4%)	13 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	49 (8.8%)	10.7	2131^st of 2240 public elementary schools	4.9%		9.8	2154^th of 2258 public elementary schools	4.6%	23	31.0	42.0	36.0				49.0	38.0	34.0				36.0					$11,639	$996	$10,644
Bluewater Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4545 Range Rd	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4240	885	52	17.0	20.9%	708 (80.0%)	11 (1.2%)	95 (10.7%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	61 (6.9%)	92.2	89^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.0%		88	227^th of 2258 public elementary schools	89.9%	138	78.0	83.0	82.0				92.0	91.0	85.0				85.0					$9,256	$545	$8,712
James E Plew Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	220 Pine Ave	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4100	762	43	17.7	27.7%	557 (73.1%)	21 (2.8%)	89 (11.7%)	13 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	81 (10.6%)	87.9	186^th of 2240 public elementary schools	91.7%		89	195^th of 2258 public elementary schools	91.4%	9	82.0	78.0	82.0				81.0	85.0	81.0				76.0					$9,100	$279	$8,821
Kenwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	15 Eagle St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32547	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3570	471	34	13.8	67.1%	227 (48.2%)	52 (11.0%)	114 (24.2%)	6 (1.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	70 (14.9%)	29.7	1674^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.3%		38.7	1397^th of 2258 public elementary schools	38.1%	277	43.0	50.0	59.0				43.0	50.0	51.0				56.0					$13,844	$1,235	$12,610
Lula J. Edge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 Highway 85 N	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4138	501	31	16.4	46.5%	352 (70.3%)	18 (3.6%)	49 (9.8%)	7 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (14.8%)	76.9	458^th of 2240 public elementary schools	79.6%		81.9	369^th of 2258 public elementary schools	83.7%	89	74.0	67.0	71.0				80.0	83.0	78.0				62.0					$11,090	$530	$10,561

Frequently Asked Questions about Destin Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Destin Elementary School?

Students at Destin Elementary School are 65% White, 19% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 5% African American, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Destin Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Destin Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Destin Middle School
High : Fort Walton Beach High School

How many students attend Destin Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 910 students attended Destin Elementary School.

What district is Destin Elementary School in?

Okaloosa

Is Destin Elementary School a good school?

Destin Elementary School ranks 483^rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Destin Elementary School!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.