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Okaloosa Stemm Center

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

1^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 100% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Okaloosa Stemm Center in Valparaiso, FL, is a public magnet middle school serving 366 students in grades 6 through 8 within the highly-rated Okaloosa School District, and it has consistently ranked as the #1 middle school in the state of Florida for most of the last decade.

This school is in a league of its own when compared to nearby schools. While excellent schools like C. W. Ruckel Middle School (ranked 148th in the state) and Destin Middle School (ranked 200th) serve similar communities, Okaloosa Stemm Center's performance is statistically exceptional. In the most recent school year, the school achieved near-perfect test scores, including 100% proficiency in Geometry, Civics, 8th Grade Science, 6th Grade ELA, and 8th Grade Math. For context, the next best nearby school, C. W. Ruckel, scored 80% in 8th Grade Science—a full 20 percentage points lower. The school also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.7%, compared to the district average of 20.5% and the state average of 31.4%. This is dramatically lower than schools like Max Bruner Junior Middle School (34.5%) and Shoal River Middle School (25.3%).

The school's success is a direct result of its specialized magnet program, which attracts highly motivated students and families. This creates a powerful culture of high expectations and academic achievement that a standard neighborhood school, even a good one, cannot easily replicate. Interestingly, the school spends $11,157 per student, which is higher than the district average but less than Max Bruner Junior Middle School ($11,428), which ranks in the bottom half of the state. This highlights how spending efficiency and program focus matter more than total spending. For parents seeking an elite, focused academic environment where their child can thrive in STEM fields, Okaloosa Stemm Center offers an unparalleled opportunity within the Okaloosa district.

366

Students ?

17.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,157

Per pupil spending ?

27.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

379 Edge Ave
Valparaiso, FL 32580

(850) 833-4120

District: Okaloosa

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.1%

Hispanic:

11.7%

Two or more races:

10.7%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 100th percentile in 2016 → 100th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (99% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Florida middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Okaloosa

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school99%

District avg71%

Florida avg62%

1^st of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 9Middle 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	98.0	1 of 1216	99.9%	★★★★★
2025	98.4	1 of 1205	99.9%	★★★★★
2024	98.8	1 of 1196	99.9%	★★★★★
2023	99.2	1 of 1177	99.9%	★★★★★
2022	99.3	2 of 1148	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	99.4	2 of 1136	99.8%	★★★★★
2019	98.7	1 of 1099	99.9%	★★★★★
2018	98.8	1 of 1035	99.9%	★★★★★
2017	99.0	1 of 1031	99.9%	★★★★★
2016	99.2	1 of 997	99.9%	★★★★★
2014	98.4	4 of 999	99.6%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry100%+44 vs state

Civics100%+23 vs state

Science100%+48 vs state

Math100%+39 vs state

English Language Arts99%+38 vs state

Algebra 198%+35 vs state

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, April 3, 2019

My child went to this school for a month and we withdrew her. Now she is in virtual public school (making straight "A's" and loving learning again), and getting so much better education than this school could hope to offer. The math teacher at Okaloosa STEM was missing in action, literally. Couldn't find her most of the time, and had substitutes in her class many times. From what I was told, I believe she was too busy working on her PHD, while her students needs were second to her own. She pulls homework/school work from one of 17 math books (had my daughter count them and list the names so we could use later) she keeps in classroom. Offers NO help to students. After working one problem for 10 days, going to this teacher 8 times (when she could find her), my child knew no more how to solve the problem than the first day. Actually, she knew how to solve the problem, just not the EXACT way the math teacher wanted it done, and she wouldn't offer any help except to "go work on it some more." When I complained to Administration, her buddy, the digital arts and design teacher, wrote to me that my daughter "did not have the ability to follow simple instructions." This from the guy that handed out flyers for his class (in orientation) with the wrong contact email (some digital art expert, huh). I don't think HE has the ability to follow simple instructions. Even the Office Coordinator said they had no idea where this guy was most of the time. He would just disappear when class wasn't in session. So much for helping the students. The laptops they gave students had so little RAM that it would take almost the entire class (90 mins) to download a program for that class. Yes, the teachers run this school, which is NOT a good thing. Consider that the Principle is retiring (2018-2019) and not really up for correcting this cluster. The best thing about this school was their Science teacher who was engaged, helpful and attentive to the students needs. My kid was (and is) a straight "A" student. I was not gonna let this school discourage her love of learning. They really need to re-evaluate some of these teachers. To call this school a STEM school is a grave misuse of the term. How anyone would ever consider them to be a true STEM academy, is beyond me. Close Quote

Schools Near Okaloosa Stemm Center

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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
Okaloosa Stemm Center	Public, Magnet	6-8	379 Edge Ave	Valparaiso	32580	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	Yes	No	No	(850) 833-4120	366	21	17.4	27.9%	264 (72.1%)	13 (3.6%)	43 (11.7%)	6 (1.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (10.7%)	98	1^st of 1216 public middle schools	99.9%		98.4	1^st of 1205 public middle schools	99.9%					100.0	99.0	99.0						100.0		100.0	98.0	100.0	100.0	$11,157	$315	$10,843
C. W. Ruckel Middle School	Public	6-8	201 Partin Dr N	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4142	1,061	53	20.0	24.7%	824 (77.7%)	25 (2.4%)	118 (11.1%)	11 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	80 (7.5%)	83.4	148^th of 1216 public middle schools	87.8%		85.9	139^th of 1205 public middle schools	88.5%	9				75.0	77.0	77.0				77.0	87.0	88.0		80.0	93.0	98.0	96.0	$8,101	$149	$7,952
Clifford Meigs Middle School	Public	6-8	150 Richbourg Ave	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4301	612	33	18.5	57.8%	392 (64.1%)	72 (11.8%)	75 (12.3%)	13 (2.1%)	2 (0.3%)	5 (0.8%)	53 (8.7%)	66.6	369^th of 1216 public middle schools	69.7%		60	460^th of 1205 public middle schools	61.8%	91				64.0	62.0	68.0				67.0	73.0	74.0		69.0	94.0	100.0	90.0	$10,350	$370	$9,980
W. C. Pryor Middle School	Public	6-8	201 Racetrack Rd NW	Fort Walton Beach	32547	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3613	721	36	20.0	71.3%	197 (27.3%)	105 (14.6%)	337 (46.7%)	14 (1.9%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	63 (8.7%)	40.8	760^th of 1216 public middle schools	37.5%		40.4	742^nd of 1205 public middle schools	38.4%	18				55.0	54.0	48.0				44.0	62.0	60.0		43.0	90.0	82.0	76.0	$10,031	$984	$9,047
Destin Middle School	Public	5-8	4608 Legendary Marina Dr	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-7655	799	41	19.4	43.8%	529 (66.2%)	33 (4.1%)	152 (19.0%)	33 (4.1%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	48 (6.0%)	80	200^th of 1216 public middle schools	83.6%		79.1	218^th of 1205 public middle schools	81.9%	18			69.0	78.0	78.0	73.0			70.0	75.0	72.0	78.0	70.0	72.0	93.0	100.0	86.0	$9,372	$187	$9,186
Northwest Florida Ballet Academie	Public	3-8	310 Perry Ave SE	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 664-7787	134	8	17.6	33.6%	92 (68.7%)	8 (6.0%)	13 (9.7%)	4 (3.0%)	3 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (10.4%)	92.4	40^th of 1216 public middle schools	96.7%		96.7	10^th of 1205 public middle schools	99.2%	30	92.0	87.0	100.0	76.0	92.0	100.0	89.0	93.0	100.0	100.0		100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0			$11,048	$58	$10,990
Max Bruner Junior Middle School	Public	6-8	322 Holmes Blvd NW	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3266	677	37	18.2	66.3%	255 (37.7%)	126 (18.6%)	196 (29.0%)	18 (2.7%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	77 (11.4%)	46.3	674^th of 1216 public middle schools	44.6%		53.7	539^th of 1205 public middle schools	55.3%	135				56.0	56.0	52.0				56.0	57.0	61.0		54.0	87.0		82.0	$11,428	$929	$10,499
Shoal River Middle School	Public	6-8	3200 E Redstone Ave	Crestview	32539	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 689-7229	923	48	19.2	57.7%	458 (49.6%)	169 (18.3%)	138 (15.0%)	21 (2.3%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	133 (14.4%)	72.2	303^rd of 1216 public middle schools	75.1%		70	331^st of 1205 public middle schools	72.5%	28				68.0	76.0	69.0				70.0	66.0	78.0		64.0	98.0	89.0	82.0	$9,489	$257	$9,232
Davidson Middle School	Public	6-8	6261 Old Bethel Rd	Crestview	32536	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 683-7500	1,111	55	20.2	56.0%	743 (66.9%)	117 (10.5%)	132 (11.9%)	9 (0.8%)	4 (0.4%)	12 (1.1%)	94 (8.5%)	71.2	314^th of 1216 public middle schools	74.2%		65.8	377^th of 1205 public middle schools	68.7%	63				73.0	65.0	65.0				78.0	69.0	71.0		67.0	92.0	100.0	90.0	$8,827	$342	$8,487

Frequently Asked Questions about Okaloosa Stemm Center

Is Okaloosa Stemm Center a good school?

Yes! Okaloosa Stemm Center is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 1^st of 1216 Florida middle schools.

How many students attend Okaloosa Stemm Center?

In the 2024-25 school year, 366 students attended Okaloosa Stemm Center.

What is the racial makeup of Okaloosa Stemm Center?

Students at Okaloosa Stemm Center are 72% White, 12% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

What district is Okaloosa Stemm Center in?

Okaloosa

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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.